Ho Hum--Waiting for the Orchids...

[Blondie]

Hello, all. Well, the phal is the last one with flowers, and there are only two left. Out of my 3 big orchids and 5 minis, all of the other flowers have died natural (well, some unnatural) deaths, or have not yet spiked. Sigh.

So, what do we do while we wait for the babies to bloom again? I'm staring longingly at all of them. Do I really have to wait a YEAR?

I suppose I could always just go buy ANOTHER ONE!

What does everyone do during the different growing cycles to keep themselves entertained? Tell me more orchid stuff!! (Yes, I realize I should keep watering and fertilizing and all-around mothering them. I will.)

[Candice]

me too!!! I am having the same issue! I think this is why everyone has at least over 50 some orchids , because they get bored and impatient about waiting till the next bloom cycle ! All of mine, 10 phals, are not in spike yet, and I just watch them day after day.....after day , poking....proding at them .....mist here...mist there...just waiting...then a lil H2O with food......still waiting....

I am going to buy at least 2 I think tomorrow and then have to wait a few more days till they arrive....I have to make sure they're in bud so I don't have to buy more!

But I am with you! What do we do???????

[Phallgirl]

I believe that has a lot to do with my purchasing motivation. The need to have a blooming fragrant orchid.


Keep those things around you that bring you joy !!!!

[Team Ferret]

Yeah, there is only so much you can do after it flowers, is repotted, almost killed, stared at for hours.....the poor plant needs a break. Im with you guys...er...I mean gals, its time to go orchid shopping. I just have to wait a couple weeks for a show.

Dave

[justatypn]

I have been lucky this year, have a few that are on a second round of blooming, so that makes me happy, I talk to them and they respond with pretty blooms Right now I have well my phal on it's last 5 blooms it's been blooming for 41/2 months it's my Balden, I have a dendrobium just bloomed yesterday, 2 onc alliances and a cyc. But last year at this time...I was like you's watching the pot that never would boiled.

I buy orchids that will bloom in different seasons, which keeps something bloomin' hopefully all year round...so far so good.

Yep, time to buy more and your right this is how we add to our collection, the blooms are addicting Boring green leaves makes us buy pretty green leaves with blooms...

[slipperfreak]

Now what you do is repot in a fresh medium (if needed), and enter the active growth cycle, in which temperatures, watering, and fertilizing are increased. With Phals I really never have a distinguishable active growth or rest period - they bloom when they want, which is typically 2-3 times per year. A 5-6 C difference (15-20 F) between day/night temps encourages flowering. Even my Paphs and Phrags don't really have rest periods, except for some of the species. I do have rest periods for my Oncidium intergenerics, however. As for how I entertain myself between bloomings... I do a lot of mainenance - cleaning, repotting, etc. and I make frequent new acquisitions. Now that my collection is of a fair size, however, I have blooms almost continuously throughout the year.

[Lagoon]

I think the key is with blooming orchids around the clock is to have a various types of them.
As Joe says, increasing your collection you will always have some sorta maintenace going on even without any blossoms.
To me much of the fun with 'chids is before they actually bloom, watching them actively begin growing leaves and roots - you know their gearing up and wanting to put out all that energy to bloom.

I think you should increase your collection, try some mini catts to

[Candice]

Well, I did what i said I was gonna do....but at least 2 'chids today....well instead I bought a total of 5! I will difinitely look into mini catts and see what goes on, I may mount the ones that are on their way...just to give myself a project if they aren't in bud yet...... Time for more research on how to set up a mount wall outside and then the actual mounting process!
Can't wait to take of the new 'chids, though I guess I can take of the ones I have now, but they aren't in bloom.....

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Candice

Time for more research on how to set up a mount wall outside and then the actual mounting process!

Candice, check into a wall made of 1/2" hardware cloth. Comes in 48" rolls by just about any length. A reall nice wood framed (stained or painted) would set it off. The mounts can then by hung just about anywhere. If it's not too huge, it could be portable, as well.

[quiltergal]

Yep, time to look for plants that bloom in different seasons.