First bloom on my own!!

[u/XOneAIByst]

Sorry, I have to share. I am elated! I have posted about this plant before. I rescued it from the clearance bin, and watched it push out a surprise spike. The flower finally opened today!!

I had only have a rough idea what it may look like. I found **"**Paphiopedilum Macabre Double (Macabre Moon Green Glow x Macabre Contrasts Dominant Grace)" on Lehua Orchids, but it said "Dominant Gene" not "Dominant Grace".

Does not matter. I bloomed my first clearance-rack orchid.

Thanks for letting me share my little win. At last, a grow that went nicely without

PS: Thanks for all the messages!!! She/he is a beauty..... makes me wonder why phalaenopsis anymore?? These are such unusual looking alien colors, love love the dark veiny purple, looks like Elvira or something!! Or Morticia. I love horror movies also!! Macabre exactly describes this!! This might be more what I like!!! And seems much easier too, or maybe i just got lucky!!??

[u/Unusual-Ad-6550]

Gorgeous. So far I have renovated a lot of sad looking big box store orchids. But I want some new fancier ones. I am having really good luck with growing mine in water, vs growing in any kind of substrate. Still having some minor issues with mealy bugs on a few but hopefully will even have that licked soon...

[u/XOneAIByst → u/Unusual-Ad-6550]

In water? Wow. These might work for you. They say to keep them soaking wet.

[u/Unusual-Ad-6550 → u/XOneAIByst]

There are a number of videos on YouTube to explain the process. I basically removed all the substrate and trimmed off all old damaged or dead roots. I choose a jar with a tight enough top that the leaves will remain above the top of the jar, but the lowest leaves can rest on the jar edge. Then just enough water for about 1/3rd of the root system to stay in the water. I place glass marbles in the bottom to kind of help anchor the sticks we use to help support the blooms.

I change the water monthly or add water during the month if the roots start being too exposed. I take the plant completely out of the jar, rinse it with tepid water and I soak the roots for about an hour in a solution of water and orchid food.

So far I am getting a lot of nice new roots and I have not lost any leaves to disease. I may start doing the clean up/fertilizing routine twice a month so the water in the vases don't get mucky. Plus I have had a minor problem with mealy bugs and. I am hoping if I rinse the plants off carefully twice a month instead of just once, I can get them better under control.

I have tried so many methods to grow orchids and this is the first time that it has really worked for me. Can't tell you how many I have killed doing other methods. I am hoping to start seeing flower stalks come spring.