phalaenopsis question

[toshuff]

hi everyone i had a quick question about my phalaenopsis. this plant has been producing new leafs every year around 14 leafs total now, but over the past two years i haven't seen any new root growth or flowering spikes. I have try'd the moss in a bag trick but that still hasnt worked, right now its in a s/h culture. the temp in my house has been around 70 to 80 during the days and 60s at night with about 60 % humidity. Is there a reason why this phalaenopsis wont grow any roots?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Maybe that's the way it is. Sometimes the leaves grow first, then the roots. Other times roots grow first, then leaves. There might be a way that the plant knows which part to prioritize in growing in order for it to accomodate its survival.

In my opinion, you have nothing to worry about. But I will say this...if you keep altering the environment the Phal is growing in, that will stress it out enough to skip a season for blooming.

[camille1585]

As to why it won't flower, where are you keeping it? Phals need bright indirect light, and they can handle dappled sunlight at the higher latitudes.
Also, what fertilizer are you using? If you use a high nitrogen fertilizer, that may explain the large amount of leaf growth and the small amount of root growth, as well as the lack of blooms. But since you mention doing sphag and bag, does it already have a good root system?

Like mentioned before, moving it around all the time is just going to stress it out. Also, moving it to s/h without seeing new root growth may compromise its adaptation, as the existing roots will die off with nothing new growing to replace them.
I would first try to see what may be wrong with your culture before going from medium to medium.

[Bird Song Farm]

I would up the light level.......a whole lot! Try going for purple leaves, should take about 2 months for a spike to show up.
Just my experience with a phal that acted much the same way. 8 years with no bloom until I said enough is enough and moved it up to Catt light (sheer curtain.)
Al

[RosieC]

If you've got that many leaves then maybe the root system is just already big enough to support the plant so it does not need to grow more.

I agree with others, moving it arround will stress it out and may hinder it.

Phals like a temperature drop at night to promote spiking which you say you are giving, mine seem to start spiking at arround 55 at night so maybe you need a slightly bigger drop.