Something's missing...oh yeah FLOWERS!

[orchidexpress]

Orchids can have full sun up to 11 and full sun after 3 here in Texas. Between those times they need to be in filtered light

[orchidexpress]

Regarding the natural pesticide, the alcohol kills the bugs, the soap holds in onto the leaves/plant and the water cuts it. Everyone in the Houston Orchid Society uses this natural pesticide.

Good Luck. Your plants will love you more outside!

[AaronM]

orchidexpress,
How can something containing a chemical cleaner be "natural". I mean vinegar is natural, lemon juice too but I don't think that any living thing excretes Formula 409! Thus the name.
That being said, thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try. Is it a treatment or a preventative or both?

Note to all. I am taking a new tactic with my orchids. In addition to moving them outside and cutting back on the feeding, misting, massages, etc.; I am also have started insulting and berating my orchids as much as possible. I have read studies that poor self-esteem can lead to increased reproductive activity. Which in the case of orchids means mucho flowers, as we all know.
I think this new approach to orchid growing, if successful, may open up a whole new field of horticultural study. Plant Psychology. One day you may see me on the Discover Channel on a fascinating new show, "The Orchid Whisperer".

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[Bird Song Farm]

I would like to apply for the position of Producer/Director.
Years of experience in the field should more than qualify me for this dream position.

Al

[shakkai]

Aaron, LOL! A group of low self-esteem, over-producing plants! I definitely talk to my plants - its either them or the cats, and the orchids seem to be better listeners. Cats are better at disdain.

I think you will be surprised (pleasantly) with the results of your changes. I also find that showing my orchids photos of specimen plants in bloom helps them to get the idea of what they need to live up to...

Be sure to let us see those blooms when they come!

[shakkai]

Oh, dear... I just re-read that and realised how that makes me sound!! A middle aged woman talking with her cats and plants! Dear, dear....

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by shakkai

Oh, dear... I just re-read that and realised how that makes me sound!! A middle aged woman talking with her cats and plants! Dear, dear....

Not to worry, you are in the best of company.
Only it's an old man talking to his plants and dog.

Al

[missann]

I personally would do what everyone else has said, and then I would starve them 9thoe with pseudobulbs) of water for a while.-maybe a week to 2 weeks.. If you have been watering them the same all year-round, and they have been continuously been growing, then they have not had time to rest, and they need that in order to flower again. I think that is why people say that thing about neglect that you don't want to hear. I, too spend lots of time on my orchids every day, and I like to baby them, so if I need to do something like "neglect" them, I would put them in a different area, in their own little special place where they can get lots of daily non-care. I will check on them, take notes, mist once a day, and make sure they are not shrivelled. I have NOT ever done this, but I am going to put a cattleya in the dark for 2 weeks to see what happens. Oh, also, unifoliate cattleyas need at least 8 hours of uninterrupted darkness at night or they won't bloom. Even the light of a table lamp across the room is enough to prevent flowering.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by missann

I have NOT ever done this, but I am going to put a cattleya in the dark for 2 weeks to see what happens.

Why?

[AaronM]

isurus,
I think missann's Cat. must have been naughty and needs to be taught a lesson. She would probably prefer to beat the offending orchid with a phone book but can't because she is receiving weekly visits from the Department of Orchid Services. She doesn't want the agent from DoOS to see the marks. At least that's my theory.
While I feel bad for the poor pale little orchid this may do wonders for my ongoing study of orchid psychology.
Missann, please document your results for me so I can incorporate them into my studies. Also, if you really want to make that orchid suffer, get a tape of insect feeding sounds. That should really turn that plant into a catatonic wreck after two weeks. Sorry, I don't know where to get such a tape, but try ebay (they have evrything, even $10,000 orchids).

Aaron "The Orchid Whisperer" M