Confused about blooming size

[Maru777]

Hello,

I finally have a question that is thankfully not a problem But I am pretty confused about this - blooming size. I know most sellers will say blooming size or not yet blooming size but what does this even mean in relation to the full size of the plant. The reason why I am asking is because in my last shopping spree in January I bought some seedlings. No idea how long they will take to bloom and don’t really mind the wait as they are cute to see growing. But now one of them seems to be putting out a flower spike. This thing is smaller than my hand! Its full size is nowhere near what it is now as these seem to grow much bigger (phal bellina). On the other hand, I have some dendrobiums that have been growing like weeds but even though they are now close to 80% of the size they will be, they don’t feel like blooming yet. And another den that is blooming instead of growing. This is so confusing. Is there a rule of thumb that can tell one roughly how far away in time a flower is? Or is there a 50% of full size = blooming size equation? I’m sure it will differ by type of orchid too but in general? I added a picture with the little one that got me thinking. Pretty sure that’s a flower spike, next to the root - it’s been growing those too

[Ray]

Unfortunately, there is no “rule” about that, but reliable and scrupulous growers generally view “near blooming size” as meaning the plant is expected to bloom for the first time on the next growth - or in its next blooming season - if being grown under their growing conditions.

That can lead to buyer frustration or confusion if it doesn’t, unless they consider their their own grower parameters may not be as “prime” as that of the seller.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Maru777

But I am pretty confused about this - blooming size. I know most sellers will say blooming size or not yet blooming size but what does this even mean in relation to the full size of the plant.

Assuming it is a seller that knows their own plants well ----- and understands them enough, then blooming size will mean capable of flowering for the current (existing) size of the plant. Capable includes favourable conditions for the orchid too ----- as in light levels, light duration, temperature, and temperature/light variation patterns, etc.

And near-blooming size would just mean that the plant could be almost there in terms of flowering potential or capability, such as another season needed ----- maybe. Naturally, there can be sellers out there as well that provide the wrong information.

Originally Posted by Maru777

Or is there a 50% of full size = blooming size equation?

Some plants, like cattleya may require 'size' to also include number of pseudobulbs. Not just leaf size etc. But as usual - in nature, there can always be exceptions. But generally speaking ..... several bulbs or more needed.

Originally Posted by Maru777

Is there a rule of thumb that can tell one roughly how far away in time a flower is?

There is! If we can find enough photos of that sort of orchid with flowers and whole plant in the same photo, or see enough of that sort of orchid with flowers at orchid shows ------ we can generally get some idea about what rough size is at least required for flower spike developing capability.

[Veksa]

Looks like a root to me.

[MJG]

I see a root, but call me an optimist, I think there's also the start of a flower spike.

Here's mine, bought "blooming size" this spring. It's a little bigger than yours. Mine has 2 flower spikes -- 2nd is just forming. I suspect this will be its 2nd bloom. So based on what I see of yours, I think yours is "blooming size."

[Roberta]

I think the "blooming size" concept makes more sense in terms of maturation, not the actual size - there are miniatures that are blooming size with 1 cm leaves, or even less. And "maturation" is highly variable among species too. I think for most vendors who give a definition (the good ones...) "Blooming Size" means "expected to bloom within the next year or so, "Near Blooming Size" is 1-2 years with good conditions, but it's a wild guess. "Seedling" likely to be 3 years or more. But Blooming Size is the only category where the vendor might have some certainty, still an estimate if it hasn't already bloomed... beyond that, there are really too many factors beyond their control for more than a guess.

[camille1585]

I agree that you can't go on size alone to determine when a plant should flower. Phals are known for being rather fast to flower compared to many other genera, with some particular Phal crosses/species flowering only a very short time out of flask. A good combination of genetics and excellent culture can speed things along.

I'm suprised your plant was sold as a seedling, but it can happen that a (very nice) grower is out of stock and substitutes it with a larger version. Anyway, I'd rather get a larger plant than expected rather than the opposite: plant sold as BS or NBS and then you recieve a large seedling...

The bottom line with your Phals, your Dens and anything else, is that plants don't care about what you think they are supposed to be doing! They do what they want, when they want, and you just have to give them conditions they like/need.

[JScott]

I think blooming size usually means that the plant is expected to bloom in its next blooming season, however only if the conditions are ideal.

That being said, I grow my plants outside in the summer and then by windows and under lights in the winter. My growing conditions are certainly good enough, but they aren't ideal, so I've many times bought a "blooming size" plant, and still had to wait two or three years for the first bloom.

[Maru777]

Originally Posted by JScott

My growing conditions are certainly good enough, but they aren't ideal, so I've many times bought a "blooming size" plant, and still had to wait two or three years for the first bloom.

Yes! Exactly this is why I was wondering to begin with I try to follow the instructions for the culture but sometimes they can be a bit vague. East window back home in Europe is a very different light setting than East window at the tropics where I am now. So the main reason I was wondering about this blooming size as % of full plant equation (yes, I work with numbers for a living ) is mostly so I can determine if I am providing them with the right conditions because if they are the size that should produce a flower and they are not blooming then something must be suboptimal in my culture. Though, as Camille was saying, maybe it’s just they do what they will anyway By the way this little one (the pot is 3 inches, it’s really not that big) seems set on opening a flower Can’t wait.

[Roberta]

I think that one is "blooming size"... That's definitely a bud. Looking forward to seeing it!