Lots of roots, pretty green leaves...NO BLOOMS...HELP

[paxman5]

Hello all,
I am pretty new to the orchid scene. In the past I bought the orchids and after they stopped blooming, I got rid of them. I would really like to know how to make them continue to bloom. Can anyone help? I posted a picture in the members gallery.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

It looks like you have a Dendrobium in the Phalanthe sub-group, although slightly thicker leaves than some.

These need higher light to bloom than some orchids do. You can gradually increase the light until they go a bit paler and possibly even get a light red sun-tan.

Don't increase the light too fast, I found mine with the thicker leaves like yours took less light than the same types with thinner leaves, but still required more than some orchids. Try and keep the light indirect but bright.

[WhiteRabbit]

glad you found us!
A sunny east or west facing window for this type (I do think it is a Phalaenthe Dendrobium- did it come with a tag?) Water just before the potting media is completely dry. In winter you can let it be slightly drier. How long have you had it? It might appreciate fresh potting media.

[paxman5]

shoot, i think we have had it about a year and a half. where we live we have too much sun (The wonderful pacific island of Guam), we keep it outside under our patio roof. it gets indirect light. one of our big problems is our water is highly chlorinated. when it rains we put it outside for water. i have tried having them inside before, but our cats think they are a play toy, did you ever see the aftermath of a cat wrestling with an orchid? not pretty.

[WhiteRabbit]

Since I'm not sure that my definition of "indirect light" is the same as everyone else's - clarification is helpful to me - does it get hit by sunlight at all? time of day, how long?

I realize the sun is stronger in Guam than where I am - mine get hit with sun a few hours either morning or afternoon. Plants getting afternoon sun are moved to shade during extreme heat (upper 90s or hotter) to prevent burning.

[paxman5]

we keep the orchids under cover all day, they do get indirct sunlight from about 7:00 am til about 7m. but when i say indirct, that only means they are not getting direct rays, even under our patio roof, it is pretty bright light. the average temp here is 88-90 degf.

[RosieC]

I have my Den Phals in Direct Sunlight behind a window between about 1pm and when the sun goes down. I've even had them outside in the same position (just the other side of the window). The thicker leaved one like yours got a little burnt outside, but was happy with direct light behind glass.

I was told they needed this to bloom, and I had trouble blooming them till I put them in that light. However if you increase the light do it slowly over time, don't suddenly increase the light or they can easily burn.