Something's missing...oh yeah FLOWERS!

[Leisurely]

Aaron, it has been about a month since your original post that I enjoyed reading. I am just curious about whether or not you moved your plants to a higher light area. The consensus was that your plants needed more light to which I also agree. I bought vanda seedlings from Tripic I Orchids in 1999 and they were grown in a greenhouse where I was blooming Cattleyas, Oncidiums, Dendrobiums etc. but the Vandas never did bloom. I hung about a dozen plants outside about two months ago where they get full sun until about two o'clock. (I acclimated them, of course, so they did not sunburn.) Most all of the plants are in spike right now. Some of them popped buds within three or four weeks. No fertilizer has been provided since I moved them outside.

[AaronM]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

Aaron, it has been about a month since your original post that I enjoyed reading. I am just curious about whether or not you moved your plants to a higher light error. The consensus was that your plants needed more light to which I also agree.

To answer your question, yes I did. In fact all but two of my orchids are currently residing outside. So far most have shown improvement either with new growths or roots or with a better color. However, I don't see any sign that any of them are even thinking of flowering. I frequently ask my orchids "What are you thinking about?" (a form of psychological torture learned from previous girlfriends), but none have responded that they were thinking about blooming. All I can do now is continue to up care for them as I have been with occasional periods of neglect.

Aaron "I Don't Know What I'm Thinking" M

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by AaronM

I frequently ask my orchids "What are you thinking about?" (a form of psychological torture learned from previous girlfriends), but none have responded that they were thinking about blooming. All I can do now is continue to up care for them as I have been with occasional periods of neglect.

Aaron "I Don't Know What I'm Thinking" M

[Phal-gal]

Oh where, oh where
have all my flowers gone,
Oh where, oh where can they be?
With their beautiful leaves
and healthy roots,
Oh where can my orchid flowers be?

[JennS]

Originally Posted by AaronM

To answer your question, yes I did. In fact all but two of my orchids are currently residing outside. So far most have shown improvement either with new growths or roots or with a better color. However, I don't see any sign that any of them are even thinking of flowering. I frequently ask my orchids "What are you thinking about?" (a form of psychological torture learned from previous girlfriends), but none have responded that they were thinking about blooming. All I can do now is continue to up care for them as I have been with occasional periods of neglect.

Aaron "I Don't Know What I'm Thinking" M

Aaron...you are just too funny! I too have played that torture game with various frienemies and b/fs just for fun. I think it is a good game to play on the 'chids.

I think you will see some serious results in the next few months from moving the plants outside.

I just re-read most of the post and noticed you said you use the Better Gro fertilizers. I have those too, and use them from time to time... I have only recently tried to get under a regular watering/fertilizing regime. My previous method was neglect, and I too think they have fared better that way then with my constant attention. Or at least that is what their flowers have told me. Anyway, I just wanted to say, I never believe the label on that fertilizer. I always used it at about half strenght once a week. Sometimes it was probably closer to 75% strength. I figured I would see some fert. burn on the leaves if it was too much, and I have not yet seen that. So, if you are still using the same type, up that fert. and give it weekly, weakly.

I also realize this post was more for amusement then anything else, but just wanted to give a couple more recommendations.

Did you ever talk with Jackie about her shade house?

Also, there is a sale starting on the 23-30 at (what was formerly Tom Ritter Orchids) Tropical 1 Orchids. You might want to check them out for some new "in bloom" orchids. They can also tell you what will be great for your growing area so you can focus on ones that like our Florida heat and rain rather then the ones that like the Kate Moss diet! They are located in Kissimmee. If you need/want more info, let me know I will be happy to share the directions I stole from Jackie

Finally, I wanted to say thank you for the laughs you provide me at work. I need them!!!

[JennS]

Oh last thing I wanted to say/ask was what do/did you do with your 'chids during the storm? I

[orchidexpress]

How are all you Floridians doing?
How did your orchids fair thru?

[JennS]

Orchidexpress...we are making it, but the 'chids want to go back outside! See the post in the off topic section called Tropical Storm Fay for everyone's updates. It seems that everyone fared Ok, but here in Orlando the storm went over us and is now on it's way back over us again! I hope it is almost over. They postponed work for one day, but it was the wrong day (tuesday). Should have been yesterday...oh well! We are alive though!!!!

[AaronM]

As far as the endless deluge of Fay goes, my orchids did fine outside on the porch where they always stay. I told them all that if they wanted in out of the storm they had but to show me a spike, but apparently they were enjoying themselves. So, on the porch they remained. As for the rest of my plants, things could have gone better. I have to replant a queen palm, a mango tree, some morning glories, and I must go through the nightmare task of moving a huge clerodendron vine to a new trellis.
For all you out there who envy my fellow Floridians and I, this would be one of those times when this isn't the best place in the world to live. Trust me, going out two to three times a day (in pouring rain and heavy wind) to drain the pool so it won't overflow isn't as much fun as it sounds by day three.

Aaron "Still a Little Pruny" M

[Leisurely]

AaronM, please keep one thing in mind about flowers in the summer. It is primarily the period when orchids make a lot of vegetative growth. When the growth has matured and the plant has taken its required rest, if applicable, it will then flower. This can be fall, winter or spring, depending on the particular plant. My greenhouse looks like a wedding during the cooler months but right now, out of probably five hundred plants, I only have about thirty or so blooming.