Why won't my SLC Jewel Box 'dark waters' bloom?

[rochelle@58]

Help! I have a SLC Jewel Box 'dark waters' that I grew in the house last year and last March finally got in my new greenhouse. This is the second year I have had this plant but it hasn't bloomed for me. Could it still be getting adapted or could it possible be sensitive to x hrs of daylight? Thanks for any help.

[katrina]

More often than not, poor or insufficient light is the reason for no flowers.

You mentioned a g/h....is that an outdoor type or the portable, better humidity type?

Can you describe the amount of light the plant is receiving?

[rochelle@58]

Hi Katrina
My greenhouse is a free standing 12 x 12 so I really don't think its lack of light. I'm even using shadecloth and its off the chart on my light meter. I'm sort of at a loss. Thanks for your reply!

[shushu45]

Did u buy it in bloom or in what I call "orchid grab bag" from Lowe's or Home depot?? What's the temp of ur greenhouse?? % of ur shade cloth??

[katrina]

Originally Posted by rochelle@58

Hi Katrina
My greenhouse is a free standing 12 x 12 so I really don't think its lack of light. I'm even using shadecloth and its off the chart on my light meter. I'm sort of at a loss. Thanks for your reply!

I thought I'd better ask....some people refer to those shelf units w/plastic cover as g/h.

Real g/h....sounds like plenty of light. I don't grow that particular hybrid...hopefully someone will have some insight into the issue.

[WhiteRabbit]

What was your light reading?

Is foliage reddish?

[Optimist]

For what it is worth, I heard if you abuse them a bit they will sometimes bloom. Don't keep it in optimal conditions. It has no reason to procreate. I understand that it may be a myth, but occasionally I see this "myth" referred to in articles about orchids. I tend to think it is true honestly. A plant in perfect conditions may not really need to struggle to survive, and flowers-- as pretty as they may be to us humans are actually there to attract insects to move their pollen from one plant to another. It is kind of interesting how many plants need some kind of a "shock" to get it to bloom.

[james mickelso]

Orchids not blooming can be for many reasons. Too little or too much light. Too little or too much water. Too much or too little fertilizer. Not enough calcium/magnesium/phosphorus/potassium. Too much nitrogen. Not enough temperature difference or at the wrong time. orchids, given good environmental conditions will bloom. It's what they are doing when they are growing. They genetically need to procreate. But depending on when they flower, who their parents are, and all those other things, they may not flower. but the key question I should ask is......how old is the plant? How many pbulbs are there and how fat are they. Orchids will flower when they have sufficient energy reserves based on what their parentage is. I'd love to see some pics. Full plant, base of pbulbs, media it is planted in. The s in slc is for saphronitis and that means it needs slightly cooler temps, and slightly less light than straight cattleya.laelia. It was hybrided to make the plant smaller. Hence, mini catts.

[rochelle@58]

Shushu45 Bought from retail orchid co. not in bloom. Temps in ghouse 55 85 & shadecloth is 50%.
White Rabbit Light Meter is2000 I think that's right Foliage isn't red but I have a few chids higher up that have red foliage.
Optimist A little neglect may just be in order! We do forget, don't we, why they flower.
Katrina Thanks for your input.

Thank you all so much for your replies. It sure makes me feel there's hope!
P.S
White Rabbit Where this chid is located there is no shadecloth although its most everywhere else. The footcandle estimate is because I'm in the house lol.

[WhiteRabbit]

When I did a google search for 'foot candles for cattleya', I see a pretty wide range recommended, but usually 2000 is the minimum - up to as much as 5000 - AOS culture sheet Cattleya Culture Sheet


If foliage isn't reddish it could take more light, so if it were mine, I would slowly increase light it receives. I'd watch getting in to summer tho - it may get sufficient light where it is currently during summer, but that spot may receive less in winter.

I have a Catt intergeneric (summer bloomer) that has been a problem for me to bloom - has bloomed every few years, and I've been trying to pin-point the difference. I think I finally have it figured out that where it grew got plenty of sun in summer, not enough in winter - south facing window in winter was good, but I needed to watch to move it again when sun starting getting higher in the sky in spring, and south facing window started losing direct sun...