Flowering at extremely slow rate - Orchid Board

Anee · #1 02-12-2012, 11:12 AM

Hi there, I have a mini orchid that has quite a lot of buds, two branches on the main stem & I'm not seeing much activity. Pretty sure the buds are getting bigger... but there's two in particular that started opening around two weeks ago, maybe more I'm not keeping track, that have practically been in the same position for that span of time. One is like 60% open and the other I guess %15 and barely moving o_O

This is one of my two minis that I have not repotted. It's in moss, looking tightly packed but the roots still look healthy and I didn't want to risk losing any flowers or buds by taking it out...

Do you think it's because it's growing space is constricted or because it has so many buds; being a small plant, it needs to gain strength overtime? 'Cause one flower seemed to be opening relatively quickly then it just stopped...

Paul Mc · #2 02-12-2012, 11:14 AM

What is kind of orchid is it? A name would greatly help, or a photo. Some do grow and flower very slow compared to others, but without ID, it's hard to say.

Anee · #3 02-12-2012, 11:26 AM

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...questions.html

it's the magenta and white one in the picture of "Butter & Veins"

silken · #4 02-12-2012, 11:54 AM

Well, on the original post I did suggest you check the roots and re-pot it. You don't know what's happening to the roots in the very centre of a packed pot of sphag. As mentioned before, the roots need to breathe and Phals rarely skip a beat in their blooming when re-potted.

Hard to say why its not opening but they should have opened by now.

Maybe re-read your original post to see what people suggested about your Phals.

bballr4567 · #5 02-12-2012, 11:59 AM

I'd say repot as well. One of my beat up phals took forever to grow a leaf but once new media went in and it has made two since. There probably is a good amount of rot depending on how much you water.

Anee · #6 02-12-2012, 10:24 PM

I resent that you're suggesting I re-read the post in my previous thread, like I'm dense enough to not retain information.

I repotted one of my minis and a few flowers fell off so I waiting for the other to show some promise before I repot. There was the possibility that it wasn't opening because of so many buds in effect. Being a small plant, it was the only out of the bunch at the store that had such an amounts of growth.

Anyway, I guide myself then thanks.

bballr4567 · #7 02-12-2012, 10:32 PM

I'm going to assume he suggested to reread because there is good info in it.

I'd still suggest to repot even if you loose a few flowers. It's better than losing a plant.

Also, have you tried the steam bath method? Take the plant into the bathroom with you and take a hot shower. Leave it in there for an hour and take it out. It might help relieve the stickiness in the buds so they open.

silken · #8 02-12-2012, 11:24 PM

The only reason I suggested you re-read the thread is because it's the same answer I would still give you. It's based on my own experience of acquiring a good number of Phals and rarely ever losing a bud from re-potting. If anything the bud loss is likely from the trip home and the shock of a new environment. Others suggested re-potting or at least removing some moss as well.

But if you have it all figured out, that's good.

james mickelso · #9 02-15-2012, 01:58 AM

Now, now children. Repotting doesn't in itself cause any undo stress to the plant as long as the plant is handled gingerly. Carefully picking out any old media and taking care putting in the new media. I have repotted orchids before that were in full bloom with no problems. Just be careful and don't break the roots and keep them moist. Most of them are epiphites anyway. And it doesn't hurt to re-read the posts. I am guilty of miss reading a few. Happens to all of us.