Hi everyone,

petrushka - That seems like an amazing rate of growth but then I've never had any experience with growing plants inside; maybe it's the heat mat that did the trick as for years nurserymen have been singing the praises of "bottom heat" for promoting growth.

Keep up the good work.

All the best, Nev.

the only reason i grow indoors, 'cause i am in the apt :).
so if it were outdoors, is it possible to bloom it so early? after 6mo? i mean with good conditions?
here are the stages:
TOP:1. bought mid-dec 2. pup after 10 days (xmas).
BOTTOM: 3. after a mo (end of jan). 4.another 6 weeks(mid april).

The bloom spikes grow very fast and the heat will make them fade faster.

it was on heat mat only in feb/mar. but it's been getting to 75-77F by the windows on the sunny days a few days a week past month. though i've started to a/c on hot days;).
the 1st spike in FL lasted about 7 weeks in low 70s - it's good enough for me. though of course by tropical standards low 70s is practically winter temps :).
could i expect pups from such a young 6mo pup?

the stem grew another 3" in a week. doing good i think.

that is the flower growing

now it colored red and is getting much bigger.
it's about 16" to where the cup begins.
so nobody knows if it's normal for it to flower in 6mo strictly indoors?
how about outdoors?

since may 15 to now the spike grew to 26.5", red part is 18.5".
it's still growing, but i can see thru the bract flower tubes inside. will start blooming very soon!

It seems awfully fast as mostly they take 2 yrs to flower.
You must be doing something right.

Once the bloom starts they flower quickly and last awile if its not real hot

the main plant was opening flowers 2 at a time from the bottom - i have for now 13 'pairs'. so that's 2 weeks..
of bloom. and it's a/c'ed luxuriously indoors ;) - so not hot.
i am very pleased with how it developed. now will be looking for pups.