Waiting for those blooms. Patiently!

[paphlovian]

Hello,

I started buying my orchid collection about a year ago. The first one was a dendrobium. All of my dendrobiums, including that first one, have not bloomed again since I bought them. I have been pretty patient, but am begining to wonder what I am doing wrong, since I've read that dendrobiums should bloom several times per year. Just how much light do they require? I have had them on my patio since I bought them, but have been in the back with zero direct sunlight. I have recently moved my dendrobiums and cats closer to the screen for more sunlight. They now have some sunlight that's filtered through the screen. Should this help them to bloom? Unfortunately, throughout the summer months the sun does not shine directly into my patio one bit! I've considered moving some of my pots outside to let nature take care of them (rain water, etc.). Where would be an idea place to leave them out there?

I haven't expected my paphs or phals to bloom yet and, so I am under the impression they require less light, think they are in more ideal lighting situations. Let's hope they bloom! I have only had one orchid rebloom for me (besides two phals that rebloomed from the same spike) and I am sorry to say I don't know what type of orchid is is. Its flowers almost resemble spiders.

Well, most of my 20+ orchids are surviving (off to a good beginning that way), but I am now interested in learning how to get them to bloom more often!

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions!

[khill]

It sounds like your dendro's and catts need more light. Some of mine have full sun in the morning or late in the day. I have others growing outside under a large oak tree so they get dappled sun all day. The Florida mid-day sun can burn plants and you need to be careful. Adjust your plants slowly to more sunlight. Your screening will help with that.

[Ray]

There are three common things that can prevent blooming:

1. Insufficient light
2. Insufficient nutrition
3. Excessive nitrogen in the fertilizer used.

In your case, I agree with khill on the light levels.

As far as getting the plants to bloom more frequently, the key is to optimize their culture so that they are healthy, living and growing up to their maximum potential.

Many sympodial plants will bloom only once per growth, so in order for them to bloom more than once a year, they need to grow FAST. That means enough, but not too much light, humidity, proper temperatures, and frequent watering and feeding with the proper concentration of the proper fertilizer formula, while keeping the root zone airy so gas exchange can occur unimpeded. Master that and your plants will reward you well.