No blooms :( - Orchid Board

mshadle22 · #1 06-14-2016, 01:56 PM

Hello, I've had a Phal now for about 2-3 years. Was blooming when I got it but hasn't bloomed since. I trimmed the dead roots, and repotted it into just sphagnum moss about a year ago. Is it normal to not have any blooms for this long? is there anything else i can do?

bil · #2 06-14-2016, 02:04 PM

Basically, it isn't happy.

If they don't routinely rebloom, I would assume something is wrong. What are your light levels? - While phals like lower light levels, they do need enough.

mshadle22 · #3 06-14-2016, 02:26 PM

It gets indirect light...i just had a look at it again and the moss was pretty compacted in the pot with some dead roots...I may re-pot with some Sun Bulb Orchid Potting Mix. I've added a picture below.

ShadePlant · #4 06-14-2016, 02:46 PM

I am not an expert on orchids, and some orchids I have seen do have darker leaves but the leaves look pretty dark to me indicating that it needs more light. It should be sprouting new leaves and roots right now assuming that you are in the Northern Hemisphere with summer. I am not sure what your growing environment is to recommend a potting mix for you, but you might try at least mixing some perlite and other coarse media into the mix. Using a bark mixture though I have found to be the best for my hot, humid environment. Also using a little KelpMax or Neptunes Harvest seaweed will help to stimulate some root growth but I only like to use it on plants in a bark mix. Also what are your fertilization techniques? I use a weakly weekly fertilizer from Better Gro and use it at half strength. I prefer it over the MSU formula. Lastly how often are you watering? Is the media dry when you water?

---------- Post added at 12:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------

Also the pot it is in is rather large for the orchid. Can you replant it in a plastic pot with drainage holes that is smaller? That way the orchid could get some light at the roots which are photosynthetic too. My phals are growing in an east window sill about a foot from the window. My Mom has hers in a west windowsill and plants seem to like that as well.

No-Pro-mwa · #5 06-16-2016, 11:06 AM

Yep I'd put it in a smaller pot with a bark mix so you can control the watering more. And I also agree that I think it may need more light.

silken · #6 06-16-2016, 11:24 AM

The above advice about potting in a more open media in a smaller pot with more drainage is what I would recommend also. And to get Phals to bloom, they often require a few weeks of cooler temps in the fall. This seems to initiate the spikes.

Irielicious · #7 06-16-2016, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshadle22

Hello, I've had a Phal now for about 2-3 years. Was blooming when I got it but hasn't bloomed since. I trimmed the dead roots, and repotted it into just sphagnum moss about a year ago. Is it normal to not have any blooms for this long? is there anything else i can do?

I have an orchid that I got Valentines day of 2014 or 2013 I can't remember which but she hasn't bloomed for me yet either. She has put out a good leaf and plump aerial roots.

I just moved her closer to the windows because she is rather dark green, which I figure is what is causing the lack of flowers. She otherwise looks pretty healthy so

. So don't fret I think your orchid just wants more light and a tighter fit around her roots.

bil · #8 06-16-2016, 04:37 PM

More light, repot in bark with a larger pot. Small pots do the plant no good and make it top heavy.

Bunch_Of_Roots · #9 06-16-2016, 06:16 PM

I think the best option is to repot the plant into a bark mix. You should consider using a clear pot so that you can observe the health of the roots and know when to water.

Your Phal looks like it needs more light. Move it to a window sill with more light will help it to build up a reserve to bloom.

Now, the most important trick to Phals to bloom is a little chill. Put the plant in a place where it gets 55-60 F for about two weeks. This will trigger it to send out a spike. Once you see a spike, move it back to a bright, warm location.

rbarata · #10 06-16-2016, 06:47 PM

All the advice above are ok but, of all the possible causes mentioned, I think the one that is more probable is temperature. I know cases of phals flowering in large pots, in other mediums than bark, low and high light intensity...the ones I know that haven't flowered (or make it with difficulty) are those that are in houses with a constant temperature.
Maybe that's your case...how is the temp inside your home? Is there any time of the year when you have lower temps inside?