Robust Phalaenopsis or .... - Orchid Board

Phillip Anthony · #1 05-12-2009, 03:15 PM

Hello All!

I had a question that had to be answered and found this wonderful forum without too much trouble. In todays WWW that is saying something. I am very glad to be here.

My wife and I have an orchid that has been blooming for over two months. I this normal for these orchids?

We do not baby it (them really, as we have several ) other than to mist daily and water every other weekend. I have attached a few images for your perusal.

All comments will be most welcome.

Phillip Anthony

Phal_01_Ps_72 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Phal_Orchid_012_Ps72 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

let_it_grow · #2 05-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Yeah its normal for them to flower for months at a time. You have a phal and i have noticed that white phals bloom for months and months (6, 7, 8+). My mom has one that has been blooming or sending new flower spikes for a few years. Its only been without flowers for a month or 2 here and there

Phillip Anthony · #3 05-12-2009, 03:42 PM

Thanks for the quick reply.

I have to say that I am shocked at your response, but happy to have this information nonetheless. It was always my understanding that orchids only bloomed for a few weeks once a year, if you were lucky.

My disclaimer is that I am a bona-fide orchid rookie, so that would explain my ignorance in the matter.

Much obliged for the help.

jkofferdahl · #4 05-12-2009, 04:11 PM

Phalaenopsis orchids are notorious bloomers. Well, at least some of them. I have one in bloom now, with two flowers, and the same two flowers have been open since Christmas, with no signs as of yet of wilting. Another has been in bloom for at least 3 months, though some of the early flowers have faded while newer buds have opened subsequently. There are other orchids with a very short flower time, and even some Phals with a relatively short flower time.

Phillip Anthony · #5 05-12-2009, 04:32 PM

Thank you very much for the information.

I think that my curiosity stems from the fact that we have two of these orchids that I believe were bought at the same time. Of course, they were both in bloom at the time of purchase. However, the other has not bloomed since (about a year) and this one has been in bloom for over two months and counting.

All of this begs the question: Why the difference? I suppose that if anyone really knew the answer to that they would be trillionaire$$. Ha! But, it does pique my curiosity as to why this occurs since both plants are maintained similarly: same light, same misting, same watering schedule and so on.

My wife thinks it was just my green thumb (maybe green thumbs don't really apply here?). Guess I'll have to fess up on this one. Darn and I was being fed so well.

Thanks again. I appreciate your time and comments.

jkofferdahl · #6 05-12-2009, 05:00 PM

It very well could be your green thumb!

Of course, it could also be that the lineage of one plant contains hearty bloomers while that of the other contains more reluctant bloomers. Or it could be that the one blooming is well-suited to the way you are growing them while the other might prefer slightly more cool, more hot, more water, less water, more humidity, less humidity, or countless combinations of these and other factors.

In the end, like other orchids, Phalaenopsis are going to bloom when they feel like it, and not a second sooner.

nutgirl · #7 05-12-2009, 07:53 PM

Welcome! You'll love it here.

That's the fun of orchids. They all have their little peculiarities. It's an adventure sometimes to find out just exactly what each plant likes.

maureen

Phillip Anthony · #8 05-13-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutgirl

Welcome! You'll love it here.

That's the fun of orchids. They all have their little peculiarities. It's an adventure sometimes to find out just exactly what each plant likes.

maureen

Hi Maureen!

Thanks for the Welcome. I appreciate it.

Yes, orchids can be a bit persnickety, which is most if not all of the time. It has always bothered me that one never knows with any degree of certainty if too much attention is being paid or not. This is especially true of a dormant or non-blooming plant. The bloomers, well, we can see how successful we have been in the preciseness of our care. Sure we can ....

Most of the time I feel like I'm nursing an alien from Mars - "Hello! Anybody in there?? Yoo-hoo ... "

Now, if they could only talk .... or perhaps that is not a good idea either. Mother used to say, "Be careful what you wish for, young man!"

Yes, mother.