I got them to bloom!!! - Orchid Board

Joyce · #1 04-05-2010, 03:39 PM

I've been keeping orchids for the last 5 years. Two little cattleyas I bought had never bloomed. I got them at the flower show in San Francisco (Cow Palace). I babied them for years. Finally my husband was browsing on the internet and came on an article about forcing blooms. It suggested putting them in a cold room, withholding fertilizer and water for awhile, then bringing them back into the house.

It worked! My cattleya, SIc Jewel Box "Dark Waters" has an outstanding red bloom. I will try to attach a photo to this thread.

A Phal that had been purchased in bloom and never did so again, also bloomed. Amazing.

My other cattleya has just returned from a stint in the refrigerator to see if that will work as the temperature here in California is now too warm to shock the little darlings. If it works I will be soooo happy.

Boy, these plants sure require patience!

Now to see if I can rebloom two cymbidiums....

Joyce

Bird Song Farm · #2 04-05-2010, 03:50 PM

That's a beautiful orchid. I think that one might be worth the years of waiting. I'm in the same boat with Catt's. but have a red one that just might find it self out in the cold!
Al

Joyce · #3 04-24-2010, 07:10 PM

My fantastic red orchid is now about to drop off. But it was spectacular and well worth the wait.

Swamper · #4 04-24-2010, 08:47 PM

Wow!! that was a real beauty. It also reminded me of the misbehaving parrot that was put in the freezer.

Rosiefuture · #5 04-25-2010, 06:12 AM

Joyce that is just beautiful, such an amazing depth of colour.

I had a funny picture in my mind of a little orchid sitting in the fridge shivvering and flapping it's leaves about to keep warm! LOL

Marion