Will they bloom? Phals

[KTorchid]

Hi guys,

I have three orchid, one cymbid (new) and two phals that I've had for abouut a year. THey were in bloom when I got them and know that other phals bloom around this time. I'm a little worried because I dont see any spikes Should I be worried?

I had had a small problem with them about a month ago, I think they got sun burned, would that affect them? I just repotted them into new media and they are getting plenty (but not too much) sunlight. Any advice?

[Izzie]

This article from MSU has excellent and accurate information on light/temperature requirements to help initiate spikes- http://www.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/Runkl...sis_Part_3.pdf

[Cym Ladye]

KTOrchid,

Repotting a phal will almost always cause it to initiate a bloom spike within a few months.

Because Cyms. initiate spikes in late summer to early fall, repotting a Cym. at that time may well delay it's blooming for another year if it has not already initiated a spike. It will put it's energy into growth and getting reestablished. All Cym. dividing and repotting should ideally be done by the 4th of July.

CL

[Kaykay]

Disclaimer: There are many more people with much more experience with Phals than me but...

I wouldn't worry. I think it's also worth noting that commercially grown plants have their blooming seasons 'tweaked' so that they are available in bloom in the stores year round. Just keep on looking after them, and they'll do their thing in their time (they can be quite independent minded plants)
As an example from my Phals. I have 2 which were given to me by my colleagues when I left my last job last June. Both were no-name-but-very-pretty-hybrids from a supermarket, both coming into bloom then. The blooms lasted until December. They are (not surprisingly!) not showing any signs of spiking this winter but have put out lots of new roots and leaves. I'm not going to worry about them for a while yet, and unless something major happens, I won't really ever expect them to bloom at the 'proper' Phal time.
On the other hand, a colleague gave me last week a Phal amabilis towards the end of it's flowering. (Spotting the link here between the people I work with and orchids??) I suspect that all being well, it will grow leaves and roots in the spring/ summer and it will spike again next winter- much more likely to behave 'normally'. Whatever that means for Phals!

I hope that helps!
Kay
x

[Izzie]

If you're worried about them getting burned again, you can go buy a sheer or lace (girly) curtain to hang in that window- they can actually be rather pretty.

[trdyl]

There are a few things that can keep a Phal from blooming. The main ones are temperature and light.

Where do you grow them? What is the temperature where they are at?

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by trdyl

There are a few things that can keep a Phal from blooming. The main ones are temperature and light.

Where do you grow them? What is the temperature where they are at?

What about things that would keep buds from opening? I have a phal. stuartiana that I bought a few weeks ago with a spike that had several buds on it. The endmost has blasted, and the others are sitting doing nothing. The biggest is a bit smaller than a marble.

I've had it in a low light area- read that stuartianas prefer that. Have I gone wrong?

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by Izzie

What about things that would keep buds from opening? I have a phal. stuartiana that I bought a few weeks ago with a spike that had several buds on it. The endmost has blasted, and the others are sitting doing nothing. The biggest is a bit smaller than a marble.

I've had it in a low light area- read that stuartianas prefer that. Have I gone wrong?

Low light for Phals is direct morning sun or at least 800 foot-candles for most of the day. I grow mine in a northeasterly window were they get one to two hours of direct morning sunlight during the winter.

The bud blast can be from the shock of them being in one place then another. They also do not like dry air blowing directly on the from a heater or AC.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by trdyl

Low light for Phals is direct morning sun or at least 800 foot-candles for most of the day. I grow mine in a northeasterly window were they get one to two hours of direct morning sunlight during the winter.

The bud blast can be from the shock of them being in one place then another. They also do not like dry air blowing directly on the from a heater or AC.

So could the lack of light I've been providing be keeping the buds from progressing?

[trdyl]

I think so.