What is blooming size vs. mature?

[kathb]

I've been looking at orchids on-line to purchase. (A girl has to look!) I am confused. What is the difference between mature and blooming size?

[Pilot]

Just a guess but I'd say blooming size refers to a plant that has the potential to bloom for the first time within a growing season-- mature would say to me that the plant has spiked once already, proof that it will spike under the right conditions the next trip around. Blooming-size suggests that though it should spike, it might not.

[RosieC]

I would guess the same as Ryan.

Blooming Size usually means it is considered to be of a size that could flower in the next 6 months, but it has not yet done so.

I think mature sounds older than Blooming Size in my mind so I guess that means it has already bloomed in the past.

[jkofferdahl]

I would compare it to people. At 12 a kid is, well, functional enough to parent a child (thus blooming size). But that same kid is nowhere near an adult (mature). Likewise, a plant can bloom well before it has reached the full potential of its growth.

[stefpix]

I would ask the vendor. Some tend to exaggerate their claims. Don't they have a picture? Would ask when if it has already bloomed or when is it expected to

[Ray]

As a vendor, I go by Ryan's explanation.

[orchidsamore]

The terms have no meaning at all. Each grower uses the terms as he pleases.

I notice many growers, myself included, will not use the term 'blooming size'.

It would most probably mean able to bloom in a season, but that depends entirely on the care it is given.

I can flower most 2 inch potted Cattleya in 12-18 months but would never tell a customer that they can. Hence I would never call them blooming size.

4 inch pots are normally considered blooming size for Cattleya. 4 inch pots of large flower Cattleya (5-6 inch flowers) will often not flower in one season. I can get 25% of these to flower in one season, but is that sufficient for blooming size.

Changing from consistent regular water and fertilizer to home care can easily set back the plants a season.

Ask the grower if he has previously flowered plants he will sell you. They are always around and usually sold for the same price. It is only whether the grower will take the time to select you one.

Another term is plants in sheat. Sheats are the protection for flower buds but do not always develop into flowers.

And while it is seldom mentioned not every orchid will flower. Most reputable growers will destroy plants that have not flowered by the time they are in six inch pots.

Fortunately, they are not a large percentage of the crop, but I have a 30 inch wide Cattleya and a 4 foot Vanda with a 2 foot keiki neither has ever flowered. They are certainly blooming size, but I would never sell than knowing they may not flower.