AboutWayne King Expertise Any question about orchid culture. I have thirty+ yrs of growing experience,president 2x of our local Orchid Growers Guild,held a position in most all other offices associated with the Guild at one time or another. Head of Orchid judging team for local club meetings and some shows. Member of two Orchid Socities and local Rep.for Mid America Orchid Congress for several yrs.I have in my collection about 800 Orchid plants of all types.
Experience
Past/Present clients Previously an expert on expertcentral.com.
QUESTION: I got this orchid from a friend. It was a bulb. I planted it in a pot and it started growing in January. It started off with 3 long pointed leaves, the leaves are a little fat. I just noticed today that there is what looks like another leaf growing. My friend told me that its the flower. It looks a lot like a leaf to me. I don't know what kind of flower it is so I don't know how to properly care for it. Please can you help me. I have been looking everywhere to find out. Thank you
ANSWER: Patty, I wish I could help, but your description doesn't sound like an orchid. If you could send a picture, I might be more helpful.
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QUESTION: Here are some photos. Thank you
Answer Patty, it looks like the bulb you planted may have been a tuber and not a pseudobulb. In general, many plants grow from tubers but mainly orchid grow from Pseudobulbs. Tubers are plantd beneath the surface of the potting mix, whereas orchid pseudobulbs grow on top of the potting mix with only the roots extending into the potting mix. Since I don't see a pseudobulb in your picture, I presume that the plant is growing from a tuber. I agree with you that the newest growth is another leaf. You will need to wait until it flowers for a more definite identification. For now, the picture confirms for me that thia is a plant other than an orchid.
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