Epidendrum 'Mabel Kanda' - Orchid Board

leeflea · #1 10-31-2008, 11:52 PM

I've had an Epidendrum 'Mabel Kanda' for a couple years now and it is in a vented clay pot with medium fir bark and the medium. It is in a S/SW window with a sheer curtain. As of yet, It has not bloomed even though the leaves and roots are perfect.Might anyone have any suggestions as to how to prompt it into bloom. Thanks. Leeflea

Ray · #2 11-01-2008, 09:10 AM

Epicyclia Mabel Kanda is a primary cross between Encyclia cordigera and Epidendum densiflorum. As such, they like to be quite warm, and reasonably bright.

Assuming your plant isn't a seedling that simply hasn't matured enough to bloom, the most common reasons for orchids not blooming are:

Insufficient light (probably not an issue for you)
Insufficient food
Too much nitrogen

If you can tell us more about your general culture, it will help.

leeflea · #3 11-01-2008, 10:41 AM

It is growinng in a S/SW facing window with shear curtains, about 6" away from the window. I water about weeky, depending on how the pot 'feels'. It is fed with a urea free 20-10-20 fert. at 1/2tsp every 2 weeks in the spring and summer. In the fall and winter, I feed it 1/2tsp of the same per gallon water, monthly. The leaves have a slight reddish color to them.
temps in summer can get up to 90-95 degrees and in winter can get up to 85 degrees during the day and as low as 65degrees in summer and 58degrees in winter. when the humidity drops below 50%, I mist once or twice a day. This is about all the info. I know to provide. I would so appreciate your advise. Leeflea

Leisurely · #4 11-01-2008, 10:56 AM

I have Epidendrum 'Mabel Kanda' that did the same thing. It did not bloom for two years. The reason was simply because it was not mature enough. I was like you wondering if and when it was ever going to bloom and then one season it surprised me with a spike on the newest growth. When the new canes reach a height of sixteen to twenty inches they will bloom. My plant is in spike now.

From the information you provided, it appears that your cultural practices are sufficient to flower your plant. So, my guess is going to be that your plant is not yet mature enough to bloom

leeflea · #5 11-01-2008, 11:06 AM

Jerry, thank you for the info and the reassurance. I was starting to lose my patience with it. I had bought it at a home supply store and didn't pay much for it but I have put in alot of time caring for it. I just wanted it to do as well as my other orchids. In part, I bought it because the info. tag said it was fragrant. I hope it is. Is yours?
I'll just be more patient and anticipate it's first blooms.
Again, thank you so much. Leeflea

Leisurely · #6 11-01-2008, 11:50 AM

Small world. I bought mine at a home supply store also. As far as being sweet smelling, I really don't know. Sometimes when I go into my greenhouse, the scent will over power you and most of the time I never know where it is coming from. I remember my plant being in bloom in January last year so I will be able to tell you about being scented in a couple of month.

Ray · #7 11-01-2008, 11:55 AM

Leeflea,

Once it gets into a actively-growing mode again, I'd recommend feeding it at 1/2 tsp/gal of that fertilizer three out of four waterings, with the 4th plain water to flush the pot.

leeflea · #8 11-01-2008, 12:10 PM

Ray and Jerry, I want to thank you for the help and reassurance.I will take your advice and put it to good use ASAP.
Another question: what are these Icons I see above our postings which say,'Add infraction' and 'report post'? i wasn't aware i had done anything wrong. If they are going to be snarky, then I don't have to remain here. There are the icons above your posts, too. Can you explain this to me, too? Leeflea

Ray · #9 11-01-2008, 03:52 PM

They are not indicative of our behavior, but are a way for others to "red flag" bad posts.

In the whole time The OrchidSource has existed, I don't recall ever hearing of someone being tagged.

leeflea · #10 11-01-2008, 04:32 PM

Dear Ray, I still am afraid I don't quite understand what you mean. I mean, the indicator above mine was to be used to report spam, advertising message, harassment, etc. Well, the 3 of us who were tagged did none of that. Who does the tagging? Other members? I must say, I was infuriated about it and wrote adm. asking them to clarify this. I seems accusatory. I appreciate your trying to clear it up for me but I'm still just flabbergasted. If it can be another member that can do this, then it can be done if someone has a bone to pick with another.
I just hope I'm over-reacting. I thought I needed to give the entire name of the orchid in order to get the help I needed
Again, thank you and I really appreciate your contacting me and I, too, look forward to a response from Adm.
I look forward to your wise answers to the questions I have about some orchids and the help you provide. Most sincerely, Lee