Paphiopedilum bellatulum

I think it is in full bloom now and will not open more. I staked the spike with the skewer so the flower is not squished down.

Paphopedilum bellatulum

Paphiopedilum bellatulum blooms. Although I am not sure if it is fully opened yet, or will progress some more.




Flower close up:



Plant from the side:

Rotted bud and opening bud

Well, I sort of expected this to happen, because I sprayed miticide all over my paphs including the buds. Bellatulum and malipoense are a bit further ahead and buds already came out on the longer spikes - they are fine. Paph emersonii bud was still very low and probably got too much miticide in the base.
Here is the result - rotting bud:



It is very disappointing considering how long it takes for a new growth to mature enough to flower. I think I will never see its flowers. :(

Bellatulum was sprayed too but it didn't matter for the bud. It is starting to open now. Probably tomorrow or the day after it will be in full bloom. This is just a preview (looks kind of funny, doesn't it?):

Paphiopedilum bellatulum

Last weekend I had to treat all my paphs and masdies that live in the basement with miticide, because I found some indications that several paphs might have spider mites. Now, I didn't actually see the bugs, but even traces of those creatures on paph leaves make me shiver.
Knowledgeable folks from the slippertalk forum suggested Safer's Endall, that's what I used.
I have couple paphs with buds and was very nervous to spray them, because surely it can lead to the bud blast.
A week after treatment - paphiopedilum bellatulums bud is still alive and plump:




I hope it stays and blooms.



And when checking the leaves, I found a third fan starting to grow at the back of the plant.

Paphiopedilum bellatulum

Paph. bellatulum started to grow a bud on the larger fan. The smaller fan is still young.




I like the pattern on the leaves, it is a bit different from other mottled paphs I have, more complicated and not too checkered.