Here are a few photos showing the growth progress of my wallisii spike. I will continue as things progress to update them. Enjoy!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/33bd2105.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/3d60e0c0.jpg

Wonderful, great show! :clap2:

Can't wait to see it in bloom. Great looking plants too, btw.
Jon

Can't wait to see it in bloom. Great looking plants too, btw.
Jon

Jon, thank you. Always nice to hear that, sometimes I am not so certain that the love me as much as I them. :D

In the first top picture, what is that plant in the front of the walli? Is it your warsce?

Can't wait to see it in bloom. Great looking plants too, btw.
Jon

Jon, thank you. Always nice to hear that, sometimes I am not so certain that the love me as much as I them. :D

Where do you get those pots, Heather? I like the looks of those...

Rob

In the first top picture, what is that plant in the front of the walli? Is it your warsce?

Nope, it is my monster lindenii, which we should really have a nice discussion about, so it will develop a sheath like the wallisii did! :joy:

Here's this afternoon's update.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/68e3cd61.jpg

Wow, the spike is growing rapidly and it is at the stage where the buds resemble peppers, at least to me. :lol: Is that Grande right behind it? If it is, then that new growth is a monster! :shock:

Wow, the spike is growing rapidly and it is at the stage where the buds resemble peppers, at least to me. :lol: Is that Grande right behind it? If it is, then that new growth is a monster! :shock:

I agree, they do look like little chiles (YUM!)

No, Grande was in my left hand when I took the pic because it is just to the left of wallisii and I couldn't get a clear shot. That monster new growth is on my Penn's Creek Cascade. I am so anal, I have the two parents next to the hybrid! LOL!! That is a big plant, I'll tell you. Between that, Grande, and longifolium, which is in front of it, I was really fighting with leaves this weekend. Had to elevate both the latter two in order to have no leaves touching other plants. Pesky plants! I love them....

The PCC is actually a very beautiful plant. I really ought to repot it soon, hasn't been repotted since I got it in July and I think it has probably been in that pot a while, knowing the vendor.

Oh ok. Anything with longifoliums grow huge. It does look like the Grande. They both must look quite similar. My Grande is now very big again. I think you got a montser lindenii. I have never seen a big one like that.

Oh ok. Anything with longifoliums grow huge. It does look like the Grande. They both must look quite similar. My Grande is now very big again. I think you got a montser lindenii. I have never seen a big one like that.

I know, PCC is Grande x wallisii, you know, so makes sense.

My lin. and your warsce. I think Marilyn may be testifying in the steroids committee hearings soon....:wink:

My lin. and your warsce. I think Marilyn may be testifying in the steroids committee hearings soon....:wink:

:lol: The mysterious giant warsce and lindenii!

Hi Heather, thanks for adding picture of your wallisii in progress.

It looks like my Phrag. is starting buds now but not looking like pepper yet. :lol: Keep posting updates!!!!

Eric

:lol: You too, Eric! Can't wait to see what your's looks like.

:lol: I love the chili pepper stage and I love chili peppers! YUM! YUM!

Heather
It's realy moving along. Have you bloomed this wallisii before? If so what were the flower dimensions?

I used to work in a zoo (with monkeys when I couldn't avoid it). So now when I see a monkey it's like an allergic reaction.

Where do you get those pots, Heather? I like the looks of those...

Rob

Thanks Rob! I like them too, I am rather persnickity (you can say it, anal!) about my pots, I like to be able to see inside, for watering needs and to keep an eye on the roots. I also like the look. All my slippers are in the clear pots. Though I do wait to repot if something is in bud/bloom of course. They are Rands Aircones, the square ones, I prefer because I can fit more in a small space! I also like the 5.5 and 6.5" rounds, but not as much as the square. I wish there were a 5" square, but only 4 and 6 that I know of. I tend to get them from Kelley's Korner in Maine, since it is close to me. However, if I've ordered other supplies elsewhere and they have them I tend to throw a few in.

Rick
You and your monkeys, I may have to switch my avatar again! Actually, the mona monkeys in Grenada are hurting since the hurricane. They have lost their habitat. :cry:

I have not bloomed this wallisii before. Frankly I've not bloomed much before! LOL! Most everything I post will be first time. If the wallisii is good, and actually blooms the three buds well, I would like to take it for AOS judgeing. Mostly for the experience, and I am close to the NE judging center.

Heather you should have it judged, not just for the experience but more importantly, for the fun of it. :)

Heather you should have it judged, not just for the experience but more importantly, for the fun of it. :)

Ok, but let's see what it looks like when it blooms, first, ok? Then, we can have a vote!

Okay, here we go, this week's updated pics. Enjoy!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/2952e1aa.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/c35ecacb.jpg

Very nice and your plant is very graceful looking. It is still in the skinny chilli pepper stage. Next they'll get bigger and fatter and then the Grand Finale that we all strive for! :lol: :-dance: Thanks for the update.

Hi Heather, your buds are getting really big. :clap2: I cant wait to see next weeks update!!!

hehehe, it is almost like a reality tv show, or soap opera, no?

Desperate wallisii?

:?:

What will happen? Will H break the spike watering? Will Grande or PCC or longi, vying for space get ugly and topple the pot?

Stay tuned.....

Actually Eric's comments ("Bud's getting big") reminds me of a Cheech and Chong movie.

nice progress and I was thinking Cheech an Chong also :lol:

These plants are SO cool! Can't wait to see these buds open and unfurl!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/a5789700.jpg

Don't they look so graceful? Wait til they bloom, the Grand Finale is the best part of the whole flowering show. :lol: I remember just a year ago, you hesitated to get one. :lol:

Don't they look so graceful? Wait til they bloom, the Grand Finale is the best part of the whole flowering show. :lol: I remember just a year ago, you hesitated to get one. :lol:

I know, I know, I was such a fool! Everything I think about that I roll my eyes. I cannot wait for these to open, but they still have a ways to go.

Hi Heather It is looking good :Party: :Party: cant wait to see the open flowers.

I love these progress threads!
It is suspensful now that it is in bud...can't wait to see the blooms.
I am right with you about the Soap Oprah parallels...couldn't help but think of the possibilites involving taboo cross-genera pollination love affairs with a Prince(EOY) and a bunch of other corny plots. Look forward to seeing the upcoming finale.
Jon

this is growing very fast :clap2:

05/05/05 (just wanted to type that. Cool!)
Not too much different, but fattening up a bit. I can see the petals inside. 8)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/214c2293.jpg


:wink: That's better!

Make it grow faster Heather. I can't wait any more.

Mine will be out of bloom before yours are finished growing out. Do you want me to save pollen for you?

Ooeee, lovely! :lol: I can see they are fattening up. I can't wait to see how the flowers will come out! 3 flowers for a first time plant is impressive. Good job!

Ooeee, lovely! :lol: I can see they are fattening up. I can't wait to see how the flowers will come out! 3 flowers for a first time plant is impressive. Good job!

Yes, well, I would have expected you to use this :bowing:
in that message. LOL!!!
(Being sarcastic and teasing of course!)
Seriously, thank you! I am rather proud.

Hi Heather , very nice how big are your buds on this one ? They look pretty good size. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Make it grow faster Heather. I can't wait any more.

Mine will be out of bloom before yours are finished growing out. Do you want me to save pollen for you?

Sure, why not?!
Thanks, Rick!

Eric, a good three inches, I think.

I'm with Rick, hurry Heather make this bloom today :-dance: :Party:

LOL! Sorry, no can do....patience little grasshoppers!

Eric, I measured and the buds are closer to 4", actually

Its taking to long Heather.

The blooms from the 3rd spike on mine are already up to 20+" long.

Sorry Rick! :therethere:

The buds are almost two inches longer now and look strangely alien-like.

I'm so anxious!!! :?

Your buds look like they are ready to pop so I'm looking forward to seeing how long the petals will turn out for a first time bloomer!

Ok, could have sworn I posted this...

My wallisii - I can see condensation inside the buds. Should I be concerned? I've never seen this before. Not major, minor, but some small amount inside each bud.

:?

I have never seen mine do that but shouldn't be of any concern, I think.

Hi Heather, I could see condensation inside my buds on my Phrag. klotzscheanum x warscewiczianum a couple days ago. It is open now, so maybe yours is about to pop open.

I think it is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen! I just don't know if it is normal!

Thanks guys!

Yep! It's busting out! :joy:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/1fd00fc5.jpg

That pouch looks like it is slowly peeking out, very cute! I can't wait to see how long the petals reach.

Very nice Heather :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Cant wait to see it all the way open.

get that flower open :-dance: :Party:

5/12/05
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/92d463fd.jpg

Heather, is that a 1 growth plant?

Heather, is that a 1 growth plant?

Peter, yes, but it has a new start that killed off a lower leaf around the time it started spiking.

Why?

I like my plants to have at least 2 new growths before they start spiking but if they want to spike, you can't stop them, now can you? :lol: Enjoy the blooms! I love this species!

It should be fully opened by this weekend :Party:

Very nice Heather :clap2: :clap2: I was wondering how long does it take for the petals to grow there full length ?

Thanks all!

I have a question. The first two buds that are opening appear to have spots on either side of the pouch, up towards the back, but near the staminoid, that look like they didn't develop right. Both have indentations on each side. But, because both have them, the same, I don't know if this is normal or not. Can anyone help?

Thanks a bunch! I'll post photos of this when the dorsals separate.

The spots sounds normal to me. I have seen indentations on the walli pouches before. One of my dianthum pouches had an indentation and I reached inside the pouch and pushed it out and it looked perfectly fine. :lol:

The spots sounds normal to me. I have seen indentations on the walli pouches before. One of my dianthum pouches had an indentation and I reached inside the pouch and pushed it out and it looked perfectly fine. :lol:

Thanks Pete! That makes me feel better, because it is uniform on both, it seems like it is normal, but I'm not sure!

Can anyone else weigh in on this? Thanks!
You could almost say the pouch is "narrower" at the top because of this indentation. Is this normal? Rick? I know you have an older wallisii in bloom...your thoughts? THANKS!!

Give the flowers some more time, maybe they haven't reached their full size yet? Are the petals still growing? Just wait and see until the flowers are in full bloom.

Ok, yeah, everything is growing, petals haven't even left the lower dorsal yet. Pouches have grown a lot today.

I'll just be quiet now. :embarass:

Thanks!

The third bud seems to have the same narrower upper pouch. I can see through the crack that opened today.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/7cc7cb92.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/dfd8f895.jpg

The unfurling of the long petals is just so graceful, isn't it?

I just took like 50 more pics after those. Tried on the black background, but haven't looked at them yet.

I'm totally enamoured with this plant! :heart: I was CRAZY for thinking last year I wouldn't like it.

Heather
Prop the plant up and stake the spike forward a bit so the petals don't end up touching allot of stuff as they grow.

Heather
Prop the plant up and stake the spike forward a bit so the petals don't end up touching allot of stuff as they grow.

Yes, thanks Rick, I will do that and I've got it on quite the tower of pots so that the petals can grow to their full length without running into anything. I just moved it outside for photos so I don't have the backllighting issue.

I didn't bother with staking on the last spike of my wallisii, and quite honestly it didn't seem to make too much difference that the petals bumped against the leaves as they grew. But I still had the whole plant elevated, and they still got to 20", which would have piled up the last few inches on the bench otherwise.

I never stake my walli spikes and they look better without the stakes, so I prefer the natural look. The petals still grow even if they are hindered.

Well, I just have one of those stakes that holds the stem but it is loose around it. The plant leans a bit in the pot, so I actually like that the stake keeps the spike a bit more upright. But that's just me.

I'm so anxious not to miss a moment of the blooming. I actually told my SO to call me at work if the petals separated while I was away today! :lol:

Hi Heather it looking really nice . :clap2: :clap2: The petals are getting some length to them.

Heather
You are going to give yourself (and your SO) a case of hives if you get much more anxious over this.

Heather
You are going to give yourself (and your SO) a case of hives if you get much more anxious over this.

Nah, I'm just excited, and don't want to miss anything! My maternal instincts have finally kicked in I guess....

This is so much better than reality TV! More pics, Please!!!

Not the best pic - petals are at 10". :-dance:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/cdb63456.jpg

Beautiful! :clap2: You're gonna love the show!

Are there any new growths poking up yet?

Yes, one started around the same time the sheath emerged.

:clap2::clap2:

Absolutely Breathtaking! I'm adding it to the "list" of "must have" orchids.

(That list is getting longer & longer by the day):twisted:

Susan

Petals are almost 16" long on the older two blooms.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/f851fd7f.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/c828f276.jpg

Isn't it fun watching the petals grow and grow and grow? :D

I run around w/ the measuring tape in my pocket all the time now! LOL!
Seriously, they grow super fast!

18" tonight on the first two blooms.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/6f44c216.jpg

So, judging is two weeks from Saturday - can anyone help me with whether this will still be in full bloom at that point? Any tips on transporting this plant? (Rick??)


THANKS!

(ps - I apologize for the photo quality - I shall attempt to get some good shots when I have a sunnier, brighter day, and can back w/ velvet and all that, when it is fully opened.)

Make sure your staking is secure. You might want to use a stick with some florist tape instead of a wire loop. (You just gotta work with the geometry the plant gives you).

Tape your prop up pots together with duct tape so things don't fall over accidentally during transport.

Find a good styro ice chest to center the pot in and use bubble wrap or peanuts to stabilize it. The petals can lay on that material ok during transport.

Lack of humidity at the shows and in the car ride generally beats up the petals anyway, so 2.5 weeks from now I'd expect to see the petals shriveling up.

Ok, great tips, Rick!
If it isn't meant to be with the timing this time, I'm not concerned. I'd love to have it judged, for the experience alone, but it may not be the right time. :)

Thanks so much!

love it :clap: :clap:

Marvellous! :clap2:

Hi Heather its look really nice . The petals are really getting long. :clap2: :clap2:

Ok, no glam shots, I have no sunshine so I have to resort to pics in the dark w/ no backlighting. At any rate, Petals are just over 21" long on all three blooms and if the sun EVER shines again I'll try once more.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/36ef17af.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/IMG_0558.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/IMG_0557.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/IMG_0556.jpg

Very nice and I'm impressed with the petal length for a first time bloomer! Good job! :clap2:

Thanks, Pete, means a lot coming from you! Thanks also for convincing me I'd adore one when I had my own! Of course you were right.

Here's one more I just took of all three blooms. Any tips on getting a close-up w/ all the petal length showing?
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/ebc13d95.jpg

boy do I like the long petaled slippers :clap: , how long will they get?

Here's one more I just took of all three blooms. Any tips on getting a close-up w/ all the petal length showing?


For me, it is also very difficult to get all the flowers with their long petals fit inside the frame. I take as many as I can until I find the one I like.

I thought the petals had stopped growing, but this morning they had reached 22".

Good growing! 22" is very good for a first time bloomer. Are you pulling and stretching the petals? :lol:

Very well done!!
I can't believe that's a first bloomed seedling. And 22" on a wallisii...are you using lead fishing weights on the petals or what.
Jon

Sigh...nope, no pulling or stretching, they grew so on their own. Thanks!

I just got off the phone w/ the AOS contact for the NE Judging Center and about had a heart attack I got so nervous just talking about bringing the plant in next weekend.

I just hope it looks good still when Saturday comes around. This has got to be the worst the first time you do it, huh? Figures, I pick a plant w/ 22" long petals to transport. Eek eek eek!

I emailed Marilyn Ledoux last night, I figured the queen of long petaled Phrags (and previous owner of my wallisii) might put me at ease and have some good suggestions on moving this guy. And she did! She is a super nice woman - if anyone ever needs Phrags, Windy Hill Gardens tends to be my first choice in vendors!

They work real well in a pinch as a temporary shoe lace... :poke: Best of luck with having it judged. I have heard that our judges down here are very political. I do not have the gumption to get any of my inferior plants judged.

Paphgirl said: just got off the phone w/ the AOS contact for the NE Judging Center and about had a heart attack I got so nervous just talking about bringing the plant in next weekend

Yeah! I remember meeting Mr. Hadley Cash for the first time and being all excited and nervous... Don't know why? He is by far one of the nicest people I have met in the orchid world!

I've met Marilyn too, and also thought she was very nice and knowledgable.

She's not too bad with paphs either. I got a very nice druryi from her.

What were her tips on transport?

Here's here email.


I move the long petalled ones in a special holder I made. It is a round
cardboard tube, about 8" in diameter and about 18" tall, hot glued to the
middle of a thin flat board (actually luan plywood) about 15" square. The
whole thing is spray painted black for a more finished look. At the top of the
holder I have about an 8" plastic pot set into it but held up by the rim of
the cardboard tube. The pot gives the tube a bottom of reasonable height so
you can set various size pots of long-petalled phrags into it. You can wedge
them in if the pot is much smaller, or just use a smaller tube to begin with.
Of course, you can transport them differently but it is important to keep the
petals from hitting or touching anything. I try to hang them out a ways from
the tube too, by wiring the stem, so they don't hit the side of the
cardboard. I hope all this makes sense.

I finally got to meet her and Brian last week at Louisville and they are extremely nice people. I must admit, they can sure grow their plants to perfection. I always heard stories about how you could practically eat off their greenhouse floor as it is so well kept...and I easily belive it after seeing their spotless show plants.

I get star struck by a lot of growers and "authorities" although most have been very, very nice people to be around(I won't mention the very few exceptions...and even they weren't too bad). Luckily, they usually can't believe I grow orchids at my age and can't believe how long I have been growing them so they warm up even quicker.

Good luck at judging!! I would also be an observer at the judging as you get to see a lot of amazing plants and learn what judges look for. I go to them when I can...even though I have no plans of ever being a judge.

Jon

I always heard stories about how you could practically eat off their greenhouse floor as it is so well kept...and I easily belive it after seeing their spotless show plants.

Yeah, having ordered a lot from them, that does not surprise me at all!



I get star struck by a lot of growers and "authorities" although most have been very, very nice people to be around(I won't mention the very few exceptions...and even they weren't too bad). Luckily, they usually can't believe I grow orchids at my age and can't believe how long I have been growing them so they warm up even quicker.

It always rather amazes me also, how helpful, friendly, and down to Earth the majority of vendors I have dealt with are. So, Jon, I have to ask now, how old are you? :poke: - PM me if you wish. I know several serious growers who started really quite early, and find it fascinating. I wish I had begun 10 years ago! I am 33.

Good luck at judging!! I would also be an observer at the judging as you get to see a lot of amazing plants and learn what judges look for. I go to them when I can...even though I have no plans of ever being a judge.

Jon

Yes, that's my plan - I just wish to learn something about the process, most of all!

I think it has something to do with the flowers.

The back stabbing and ego stuff was much more prevalent in other hobbies I've been involved with.

OFF TOPIC WARNING

I am the ripe old age of 24...with over 15 years orchid experience. Before you ask, my mother was and still is very much a plant nut, and maybe a little too supportive early on. You can imagine the skeptical faces the judges gave me when I was 11 and throwing in my two cents at shows while clerking about whether or not certain plants were labeled correctly. Oh well, I have met a lot of great people in this hobby/lifestyle and will always be excited when something spikes.

Again, good luck on your wallisii...it is definately a good one!

Jon

Man 24 is awesome! I wish! I have been growing for almost 2 years now, and I am almost as old as Heather :poke: 31 :evil: Jon did you go to college? In Ohio? Maybe I told you this, I went to UD.

I am the ripe old age of 24...with over 15 years orchid experience

That's so cool, Jon. I'm 26 and started growing orchids in 1987 when I was 8. I started growing orchids because we moved and I had to get rid of some apricot wood ducks that I was breeding at the time. (I have always been breeding some sort of animal!) My mom made it up to me by taking me to an orchid green house (Oceanside Orchids, we lived in San Diego at the time) and bought me several orchids. It quickly turned into an obsession (I was completely obsessive even at that age) and soon she was taking me there every week to buy more orchids...

I considered going to graduate school for botany, but decided on avian genetics instead. Though now that I've finish graduate school, i've decided to go back to school again for equine medicine!

Totally off-topic, sorry!

Lien

I think it is wonderful that some get "hooked" so early on. What a great and educationaly childhood you must have had, Jon.

I remember, when I was in my teens, (don't laugh!) I had a "crush" on some celebrity who grew orchids, and my parents were nice enough at the Mass. Hort. Flower Show to actually buy me two white Phals, which I think I promptly killed. Or at least my mother did. I don't really recall what happened after we got them home. She grow's phals now quite well. Apparently the bug was planted in me early but didn't take hold until about a year ago.

Come on you old fogies!!

Heather did I ever tell you, I have a baby sister named Heather who is 36.

I feel soooooooooo old.

Lien, you and I must have been posting at the same time, or else I would have said, what a great education for you too!

I envy you guys who started out earlier...but I suppose 32 isn't that late!

Rick - there are many Heather's around my age. I guess it was a popular name back then. When I was a freshman in College, I lived on a floor where there were three Heathers all in adjacent rooms. We couldn't have phones in our rooms until sophomore year, and people who called on the pay phone got very confused. It didn't help that one of them was Heather Ann and I'm Anne Heather. And that was also the year the movie 'Heather's' came out! I also roomed my senior year w/ another Heather Ann.

I used to not like my name, but now I like it very much and feel honored to be named for a plant. :D

My sister was born in England, and was named after the flower which was in bloom at the time.

Very sweet.