I want flowers! - Orchid Board

Calliope · #1 08-13-2016, 01:18 AM

Hi. I'm new to growing phalaenopsis orchids. I only have two (I did have 3, but we won't go there). One was flowering when I bought it and that's why I'm all potty about them. It flowered for months, MONTHS I say! There was something about the pure white, waxy petals that was extremely intoxicating. My new orchid comes from a nursery and it said it was ready to produce a flower spike within the next 6 months. I've cosseted my new babies, fed them once a week with special Phal food I bought from the nursery, kept them in a nice warm room and given them indirect sunlight. Nothing! Not even a new leaf. They are growing in good quality sphagnum moss and the leaves look healthy enough. It's winter here. Is that why they are not flowering? How can I get these creatures of fine sensibilities to do something?

estación seca · #2 08-13-2016, 02:25 AM

Welcome!

Phals are warm-weather growers. It's winter there. When large enough, many begin spiking in mid to late winter. Leaves grow when it's good and warm.

Calliope · #3 08-13-2016, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

Welcome!

Phals are warm-weather growers. It's winter there. When large enough, many begin spiking in mid to late winter. Leaves grow when it's good and warm.

Thank you very much for replying to my question. It's late winter now, so perhaps something will happen soon! The spagnum moss stays quite moist. Too moist perhaps!

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Helene · #4 08-13-2016, 02:59 AM

Picture if you can? (Lol, because of the moss. New to orchids and moss arent always the best combination)

I have many phalaenopsis. Most of the year they grow something. Roots/leaves or a spike. Sometimes they just sit there- in winter time (its inside, but still a bit cooler at night time, and of course less sun) it grows slower.

Reasons for not doing anything: they seem to have a small break in growing in winter, not enough roots (tend to grow roots, and then suddenly they start growing), after blooming in the fall (when they flower late, they sometimes just sit there afterwards), bad media (they are not growing because they are slowly dying- doesnt happen often anymore), newly potted/moved (sometimes they sulk after I bring them home/repot).

If an orchid doesnt have many roots I sometimes cut the spike after flowering, so the plant doesnt use energy trying to make more flowers.

But- it all depends on your plant and your environment. If it looks healthy it will probably grow again very soon

Edit: and yeah: welcome😃

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Calliope · #5 08-13-2016, 05:23 AM

Wow, thanks for replying. NEAT to hear from you. I'm trying to send you a picture of my captivating creatures. When the one from the nursery flowers it's going to be gawjus! Impatient to see it.

Helene · #6 08-13-2016, 05:41 AM

Yeah- I think I would repot. You cant see the roots in a black container, and with moss it makes it harder to water correctly. (It can be done, but usually needs a bit experience with feeling how heavy the pot are, and when to water again. If the middle stays wet, the roots may rot.

I recommend bark, its easier to water. Later you can use moss, if you prefer not to water very often.

But I would start in bark. If you want to be sure, you can use a pot with many holes, but it can be a bit tricky repotting. (Then again it will have many roots, and will recover even if some break)

Some different plants:

Regarding flowers: I sometimes miss them when they are gone, but then they start growing leaves or roots- and I forget all about the flowers. And when they rebloom: ah, thats great. It means you did something right, and a nice bonus after caring for it.
Keep the plant happy, and you will be rewarded👍🏻

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Calliope · #7 08-13-2016, 05:57 AM

Ohh ahhh those are pretty and healthy looking specimens. The clear containers are a good idea so you can see what is happening down below. I took my original orchid out of the old bark as I read it turns acidic and replanted it in spagnum when the new one arrived from the orchid specialists in moss. Will it be okay to repot it again so soon I wonder? It didn't have much of a root system.

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Helene · #8 08-13-2016, 06:07 AM

Yeah- I have sometimes repotted again, if it didnt "feel" right.
But you can use moss, its just a bit harder when it comes to watering. Some grow them in moss.

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Calliope · #9 08-13-2016, 06:23 AM

I saw an expert on YouTube do a mixture of pumice and moss. Could be a way of drying it out without disturbing it too much. I've been fiddling around with it quite a bit to be honest trying to get it right as I've learned what to do. This will actually be it's third recent home renovation.

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Ray · #10 08-13-2016, 06:26 AM

Many phalaenopsis hybrids require a "cool spell" in order to initiate flower spikes.

Basically, the plants grow best at very warm, shady, and humid conditions, but require about a two-week period in which the average growing temperature is about 7-10C cooler than that at which it had been growing. After that exposure, returning it to the warmer conditions ensures the strong growth of the flower spike, which should appear about 6-, to 8 weeks later.