Dendrobrium phal hasn't bloomed in a year - Orchid Board

bonmonamie · #1 08-23-2009, 05:34 PM

I've had a dendrobium phalaenopsis for almost a year now and the only time it had flowers was for the first couple months I had it. Several new plants have started growing in the pot in the past year but no new stalks.

What can I do to encourage it to spike?

Thanks for any advice!

Junebug · #2 08-23-2009, 05:43 PM

Have you got any pictures of the plant in question? Photos would really be helpful. It sounds like the new plants your describing might be new canes. Some Dendrobiums bloom only once a year. Maybe your's just isn't ready yet.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #3 08-23-2009, 05:46 PM

Posting specific growing info helps in solving the puzzle too along with the pics.

Junebug · #4 08-23-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Posting specific growing info helps in solving the puzzle too along with the pics.

It's helpful to know what growing zone you live in too.

bonmonamie · #5 08-23-2009, 06:16 PM

[IMG]

[/IMG]

The two stumps on the left are where stalks use to be. They had dried out and become brown so I broke them off. The two green stalks on the right have grown since it stopped blooming. They came up at different times of the year but have not grown any taller than that.

I reduced the watering frequency once it stopped blooming figuring it would go into a hibernation period until it would start growing and blooming again. Then months went on and nothing changed. My father kept telling me that I should put it in the dark for a while to make it bloom again so I let him take over it. Then I'd say for several months he did that, watering it every so often. Since the summer started, I brought it upstairs and it has greened up since then now that it has been exposed to the light but nothing else has changed.
I used a fertiziler once about a month ago. It was just miracle grow for orchids formula. And again I didn't really notice a difference.

neb · #6 08-23-2009, 06:26 PM

I am no Den. expert but I would agree with Junebug your new canes are not mature enough to flower the dark treatment may have stunted them.

dounoharm · #7 08-23-2009, 06:32 PM

dendrobiums need lots of strong light to grow and bloom and to maintain thier health....i would say you did a bad thing by putting it in a closet, lol....leave your precious baby in the light and fert it once a month....it doesnt need a dry period, but water it well then let it go absolutely dry before watering again.....your canes are immature and need to grow before blooming....quite possibly it will grow more canes before it blooms, as the ones exposed to the dark may not recover sufficiently to flower.....gl

bonmonamie · #8 08-23-2009, 07:04 PM

I'm just confused because my brother has the exact same orchid and he has kept it well watered and lit and his looks exactly the same as mine. He can't get it to grow a cane and bloom.

And when I water it, I make sure to run it under luke-warm water until it is completely soaked. Then I do not water again until it is dry.

I just really need it outlined as to what I should do to encourage it to bloom. Fertilize it once a month, keep watering it like I am, and make sure to keep it in the light?

Thanks again!!!

Junebug · #9 08-23-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonmonamie

I'm just confused because my brother has the exact same orchid and he has kept it well watered and lit and his looks exactly the same as mine. He can't get it to grow a cane and bloom.

And when I water it, I make sure to run it under luke-warm water until it is completely soaked. Then I do not water again until it is dry.

I just really need it outlined as to what I should do to encourage it to bloom. Fertilize it once a month, keep watering it like I am, and make sure to keep it in the light?

Thanks again!!!

What kind of potting media is your Dendrobium growing in...and are you using an enclosed pot or one with extra drainage holes that are specifically designed for ventilation?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #10 08-23-2009, 07:50 PM

How about the roots? What do they look like? Are the roots alive?

Dendrobiums need bright indirect light. A temperature of about 60 F to 90 F is good enough.

In nature most Dendrobiums grow on trees.

What kind of potting media are you using?

What are the numbers for the macronutrients listed on the fertilizer (Nitrogen - Phosphorous - Potassium)? Is it urea based?

Another thing is that orchids don't grow as fast as daisies do, they're slower growing.

The newer growths are also too young to put out flowers.