orchids in same climate- 1 blooms others don't

[bporcell]

Hello!
I have had orchids for a few years now. I think I finally got a handle on caring for them. Problem is I have about four orchids that hasn't had a flower spike since I got them and then I have one that blooms every year. They are in the same climate and get the same care. They all seem healthy to me. What is the deal?

Thanks,
Brianna

[Orchid Whisperer]

You have several Phalaenopsis and one that seems to be a Cattleya relative. Which one is blooming and which ones are not blooming? Is the "bloomer" in the first photo?

The Cattleya and Phalaenopsis have different requirements.

Cattleya types (with a fat stem, called a pseudobulb, below the leaves) need more light than Phalaenopsis and need to dry out between watering. If you decide to give it more light, do so gradually to avoid sunburning the plant.

Phalaenopsis (like your "bloomer" and the others) can tolerate lower light. The window area where you photographed you plants should be OK. The roots should dry somewhat before you water again but don't need to dry as much as a Cattleya.

Both Cattleya types and Phalaenopsis should grow in a coarse chunky potting medium that drains quickly, like bark. Sometimes they are purchased with moss around the roots; the moss is usually a bad growing medium for most people. Replace the moss with bark.

Phalaenopsis often need a cool period to induce blooming. If they have been growing a while with 70 degree nights, try dropping the temperature to 60 degrees at night for a few weeks.

Finally, if you have only had the plants a year or two, sometimes it takes a plant a couple years to adjust to your growing conditions and bloom again. Give it time. Orchid growing requires patience.

[bporcell]

The phal that it is sitting by itself is the bloomer.

[NYCorchidman]

It looks like the regular bloomer is much closer to the window, so I guess maybe the other three phals are not getting enough light?
Especially the one on the far right in the second picture, see how the leaves are "standing up"? They do this when the light is not bright enough, thus stretching for light.

Also, how warm do you keep your living space?
The one nearer the window might get cooler temperature in the fall and winter to spike with more ease although I doubt this has much effect because I've been growing phals for years and they even spike even in the kitchen (the warmest part in my apartment).
I'd say up the light next time and see what they do.