Orchids aren't 'growing' ... ?

[mjz]

I am new to Orchid growing - or I should say, 'trying to grow' ... Over the years I would receive orchids as gifts (mostly Phalaenopsis) and they would look great for a few months, flowers wilt and the plant would die - no matter what I did.

A few years ago, however, I received a couple of Phalaenopsis and what a surprise when they didn't die, but managed to survive and then one of them put up another flower spike the following season! Right then I decided I can do this.

So I went to the Orchid show in town and wow - what an array of orchids. I bought Miltoniopsis in bloom. After the flowers wilted away - the plant just stopped. It's been over a year. Nothing. No root growth, no leaf growth - nothing. They look like fake plants. They're not dying - no yellow leaves, or other decay. They just don't grow.

I follow all of the guidelines (watering schedule, bark mix for the existing roots, and light).

Is there anything I can do to "encourage" growth - especially the roots?

Thanks

[bil]

Originally Posted by mjz

I am new to Orchid growing - or I should say, 'trying to grow' ... Over the years I would receive orchids as gifts (mostly Phalaenopsis) and they would look great for a few months, flowers wilt and the plant would die - no matter what I did.

A few years ago, however, I received a couple of Phalaenopsis and what a surprise when they didn't die, but managed to survive and then one of them put up another flower spike the following season! Right then I decided I can do this.

So I went to the Orchid show in town and wow - what an array of orchids. I bought Miltoniopsis in bloom. After the flowers wilted away - the plant just stopped. It's been over a year. Nothing. No root growth, no leaf growth - nothing. They look like fake plants. They're not dying - no yellow leaves, or other decay. They just don't grow.

I follow all of the guidelines (watering schedule, bark mix for the existing roots, and light).

Is there anything I can do to "encourage" growth - especially the roots?

Thanks

Orchids are pretty simple. Give them what they like, and they will keep blooming.
This is what they need

1. Proper substrate.
2. Good quality water.
3. Low levels of the correct fertilisers..
4. The right light levels.
5. Correct temperatures.

Can you go thru that list and let us know how you are addressing each point please? For example, what are they potted in, how do you water them, etc.

[mjz]

Originally Posted by bil

Orchids are pretty simple. Give them what they like, and they will keep blooming.
This is what they need

1. Proper substrate.
2. Good quality water.
3. Low levels of the correct fertilisers..
4. The right light levels.
5. Correct temperatures.

Can you go thru that list and let us know how you are addressing each point please? For example, what are they potted in, how do you water them, etc.

Thanks for the reply:

1. potted in bark/charcoal orchid mix (bought at plant nursery specific for orchids.
2. I use rain water collected during Houston downpours.
3. Orchid fertilizer - 1/4 teaspoon per gallon every two or so weeks.
4. Window placement - some sun during the day, mostly just bright light. Outdoors in summer facing bright light no sun.
5. House temperature (65 - 75). I placed the Phalaenopsis outdoors in the winter (50-60) to encourage spike growth - seemed to work for one plant).

The plants are all potted in crystal clear square bowls. I fill with water then drain completely. The bark is moist at best and dries out from the top down over a couple of weeks. There is never standing water. The root of the Phalaenopsis are bright green throughout. Look great, don't grow.

Most of the time I don't do anything to the plants except the misting of the root area when they are dry.

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[bil]

Interesting. How dense is the substrate? Can the air really flow thru it?

Also, I don't like orchids in bowls like that. I like them to be free draining, with the water running thru easily. I also like very shallow bowls to maximise air movement.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Are there holes in the pots themselves? Orchid roots need air. But I am not sure why they won't grow. I use kelpMax and it has really made my roots grow much better. I try and use it about once a month along with my fert and I also have a fish and sea weed mix I sometimes use.

I don't have a Milt so perhaps someone else will have to add to this but I think they need high light and more water than a Phal.

Edit to add: bil was posting at the same time I was.

[bil]

I bought my first Milts last summer. Bit of a chance as it is very hot here, but they survived, and this winter a couple of them reflowered. One is putting out yet another spike as we speak. Almost all are putting out new growths to a greater or lesser extent. However one is sulking, as Im not sure if it has put out new growth yet.

Some orchids just won't like your setup.

Can you get your hands on a light meter?

Phals now are very easy. I put them in large pots made shallow, I pot them in 2" bark that has been sieved to take out all the smaller bits, and I water them once a week in winter and three times a week in summer with a very low level of fertiliser in RO water.

I have about 20 and all bar two (which I suspect were bought late last year) are spiking. Some are in flower.

[silken]

I would be concerned about no drainage/air holes. Is it only Miltoniopsis and Phals that you have? The Milts have very fine roots and while they like to stay moist and not totally dry, with a glass bottom and no holes, I expect it could get dank and cause those fine roots to rot. If they have no roots, they can't grow. They also don't like hot temps or really bright light. The Phals have chunky enough roots that they can maybe survive that potting but in the end some of those roots could rot too.

[mjz]

Originally Posted by silken

I would be concerned about no drainage/air holes. Is it only Miltoniopsis and Phals that you have? The Milts have very fine roots and while they like to stay moist and not totally dry, with a glass bottom and no holes, I expect it could get dank and cause those fine roots to rot. If they have no roots, they can't grow. They also don't like hot temps or really bright light. The Phals have chunky enough roots that they can maybe survive that potting but in the end some of those roots could rot too.

That's why I used glass - so I can see the state of moisture. The glass pots are very shallow and plenty of air gets in and around the roots. Humidity in that zone is around 80% (like a tropical jungle). When I water thoroughly, I completely drain the water back out (using a siphon) so there is nothing standing ever. The bark is dark after that and slowly dries out (bark becomes lighter in color), then it's time to water again.

maybe I just have perpetual dormant plants ...

I'll try KelpMax and see if that helps.

[fishmom]

Like silken and others, I am wondering about those glass bowls. I have close to a dozen phals, and none of them go "a couple of weeks" without drying out. Even in a moist stretch in the winter, I water about weekly. I grow in plastic pots with slotted sides, mostly.

Have you repotted the plants lately? How do the roots look? A picture would be helpful When I repot my phals, they usually respond with a push of new growth: roots, leaves or both. If you haven't repotted recently, it is possible that the medium has deteriorated, since it is staying damp for so long.

[mjz]

Originally Posted by fishmom

Like silken and others, I am wondering about those glass bowls. I have close to a dozen phals, and none of them go "a couple of weeks" without drying out. Even in a moist stretch in the winter, I water about weekly. I grow in plastic pots with slotted sides, mostly.

Have you repotted the plants lately? How do the roots look? A picture would be helpful When I repot my phals, they usually respond with a push of new growth: roots, leaves or both. If you haven't repotted recently, it is possible that the medium has deteriorated, since it is staying damp for so long.

I repotted about six months ago. Only two of my Miltonopsis are in glass, the other two are in their original plastic container w/holes in bottom. All 4 are in "suspended animation".

I was just curious if anyone on this forum had a similar experience of plants that stopped growing (roots, leaves or flowers) but don't die either.