How to encourage spikes

[dianecty]

Hi! Is there a way to encourage spikes to come out so that flowers would come?

[kavanaru]

It depends on the plants you have. Some will need cold/cool temperates for some weeks, in order to start spiking (e.g. Cymbidium, some Dendrobium, some Phalaenopsis, Coelogyne, etc). Other plants just need a shorter photoperiod for it (e.g. some Cattleyas).

Place here the plants you have (better if you know the species or Hybrid name - if not try at leats a picture, sometimes that helps to have an idea in which direction you should try), and I am sure you will have some feedback and suggestions...

[dianecty]

Thanks for your info Ramon! I have phals, oncidiums, dendrobium nobiles.

[Ray]

Generally speaking, the best way to encourage blooming is to grow your plants well, so they are healthy and strong, and they will bloom in season. Forcing is generally not a good idea, as it can weaken a plant. On the other hand, there are certain cultural factors that can play a role as well:

Phalaenopsis grow best at warm temperatures, but will not spike until they have been exposed to a few weeks at somewhat lover temps - min of about 50°, max 70° seems to be pretty good in my experience (and also explains why they tend to be winter bloomers, having been exposed to a warm summer followed by a cooler fall).

Oncidiums generally bloom on mature growths when new ones are starting (at least that's where many of mine are right now).

Nobile dens bloom in the spring, upon "awakening" from their winter rest. If you did not withhold fertilizer over the winter, just keep growing them, then do that beginning late next fall so they'll bloom next spring.

[jehane]

Don't laugh, but when can you expect Vanda's to spike....I know, I should post a pic and species info, but I'm out of office right now......any thoughts on generalities? Ours is growing a vase and the roots are plump and healthy....its about 6 inches by six on the leaves right now.

[Ray]

If it's a pure vanda, that's probably too small to bloom. If it's an ascocenda or christieara, they bloom whenever they feel they're up to it.

I just had a Vanda Fuchs Indigo (24" tall, hanging by a wire) go out of bloom:
http://www.firstrays.com/Pictures_or...chs_Indigo.jpg
http://www.firstrays.com/Pictures_or...chs_Indigo.jpg

while Christieara Sharifa Alsagoff (9" tall) is in bloom now, and I have several ascocendas, ascocentrums, and other vandaceous plants spiking.

[jehane]

Thanks Ray - it is an ascocenda hybrid, and its sending out new roots like mad, fat silvery delicious ones, so I'm hoping for great growth. When I post pics, I'll as you about stabilizing in the vase. Cheers!