Low Light, Limited Flowering, New Plants

[OrquideAlex]

Hi everyone, I'm in my second year growing orchids, so I'm still a little new to it. I had fun again at the Pacific Orchid Expo in San Francisco over the weekend, and I bought more than I had expected: Zygopetalum "redvale fire kiss", Paphiopedilum primulinum "alba" (the sequentially flowering kind!), Maxillaria tenuifolia, and Dendrobium nobile. My previous orchids (mostly phals, but also an Oncidium and a paph) grew several leaves but only a few flowers that didn't last long. The fact that they bloomed at all encouraged me to buy more orchids and try to do better.

The weekend inspired me to re-read and re-learn to see what I've been doing right and wrong so I could grow healthier plants with better, longer-lasting blooms, especially for my new orchids. The result of my research is depressing me a little, so I just want to hear some feedback on how much this will impact my new plants.

I think my biggest problem is I don't have enough light because all my apartment windows face north. I never thought that light was an issue because I always made it a point to say "north facing windows" to vendors at orchid expos when I talked to them about plant requirements, but no one pointed out that my lighting might be too low. I really don't want to use supplemental lighting, but it sounds like I might have to do it. In the meantime I nudged all my orchids by a few inches to be as close to the windows as possible. I'm not particularly attached to the dendro, so I won't feel disappointed if it craps out, but I would love for the other ones to do well, especially my paphs and zygo.

My other issues are more correctable. I've been over-fertilizing, so next watering there will be no ferts to flush out the salts, and halving the dose the week after for "weakly weekly". I also realized that ferts don't include calcium and magnesium and my tap water is extremely soft, so I’m adding a little bit of an aquarium mineral supplement until my new MSU-based fert with Ca/Mg arrives.

[RNCollins]

Welcome to the forum Alex!
I'm a newbie too, so I can't offer you many suggestions.

Look under the section titled "Growing Under Lights." Members have posted pictures of their lighting set ups. It could give you some ideas for your own plants.

For example, This company has some nice (and expensive) lighting carts...
3-Tier SunLite Garden with T-5 Bulbs | Grow Light System

I think most forum members who are handy with tools setup their own lighting systems. There is a lot to learn... There are so many different types of bulbs now...

Welcome and have fun searching thru the forum!

Carol

[Optimist]

I'm sorry you feel that way about the dendro. You can probably keep it alive near the window, but I may not bloom. Maybe in a few years you can switch apartments. I just got a nobile and think it will be one of my favorite plants.

[WhiteRabbit]

Do you have any outside area to put some?

[hanzy08]

light plays a very big part when it comes to flower count and quality... I had the same problem because my apartment is surrounded by buildings so the only sufficient light I have is a south facing window. indoor lights is the only solution. try LED's or t5's. there are a lot to choose from..

[OrquideAlex]

Originally Posted by RNCollins

Look under the section titled "Growing Under Lights." Members have posted pictures of their lighting set ups. It could give you some ideas for your own plants.

For example, This company has some nice (and expensive) lighting carts...
3-Tier SunLite Garden with T-5 Bulbs | Grow Light System

Thanks, I'm exploring the lighting forum. I was aiming for a simple display areas in my living room and bedroom for my orchids, powered by carbon-free sunlight. Now I'm drafting up ideas for an uncomplicated lighting system for the lowest power usage as possible.

Originally Posted by Optimist

I'm sorry you feel that way about the dendro. You can probably keep it alive near the window, but I may not bloom. Maybe in a few years you can switch apartments. I just got a nobile and think it will be one of my favorite plants.

I actually like the dendro for its tall vegetative growth much more than its flowers, so if it can stay green and tall I can still be happy with it even if it doesn't bloom again.

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Do you have any outside area to put some?

The nearest area is 50 feet away on the building fire escape, which faces almost perfectly east. Having my orchids that far away defeats having a nice display around that I can see regularly.

Originally Posted by hanzy08

light plays a very big part when it comes to flower count and quality... I had the same problem because my apartment is surrounded by buildings so the only sufficient light I have is a south facing window. indoor lights is the only solution. try LED's or t5's. there are a lot to choose from..

What does your setup look like?

See, I thought I was lucky because I'm on the top floor of the tallest building in the area, so there was nothing blocking my windows, except that they're cursed for facing north. I might be a LED expert by the end of this since I worked with them when I used to have a reef tank, then again when I setup my freshwater planted tank. The problem with a lot to choose from is I'll be paralyzed with choice for a while before I finally decide.

Thanks everyone.

[OrquideAlex]

Since I mentioned them, I might as well post pictures of my new orchids while they still look good:

Zygopetalum "redvale fire kiss"


Paphiopedilum primulinum "alba"


Maxillaria tenuifolia


Dendrobium nobile


I setup two CFL floodlights on a timer to temporarily improve the lighting situation until I figure out a more permanent solution.