Stubborn Phrag. Non- bloomer

[pjoeverett]

I have had a Phrag. Wossner Super Grande for 7 years and not one single bloom. Every year or two I repot it cleaning away all dead roots etc. The roots look good and I always have several new growths which I am getting now. I use a phrag mix and it is getting dappled west sun in afternoon as it is under a dogwood. I live in Ohio so temps can get hot in the summer but we also have high humidity. My leaves are a lighter green than I have seen on posted blooming ones. What do I do to get this stubborn plant to bloom?

[No-Pro-mwa]

Goodness that's a long time for no blooms. I'm no expert so I'm not sure I can be of much help. I do have a phrag that is half Grande and I keep mine in a saucer of water. The only thing I might suggest is perhaps a bit more light, or fertilizer. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.

The other thing I guess I have different from you is my temperature is not that hot.

[pjoeverett]

We have a few 90 degree days in the summer but normally mid 80 degrees. I thought perhaps using bottled water or distilled might help. I wouldn't think I would get new growths if conditions were bad.....just so absolutely frustrating . I will try the saucer of water when I bring it in.
Thanks for your help !

[MrHappyRotter]

1. Gotta have patience with this cross.

2. High light, year round. If you're not getting blooms, bump it up (slowly so that the plant can acclimate and not get sunburn).

3. Let it get good and root bound, skip a year or two repotting if you haven't already.

4. Don't divide it. Let it get big.

5. Grow it wet. In winter, cut back a little on watering, though.

Mine has mostly been a summer bloomer if that helps. So maybe yours is prepping to bloom this year.

[PaphMadMan]

I would follow MrHappyRotter's advice, with a couple small provisions.

With delayed repotting, make sure your mix stays fresh for the extra year or 2 - don't risk root problems with media gone bad. If your current mix won't stand the test of time, maybe repot once more in a mix with duration in mind. And also, water quality is always an important consideration for Phrags, but for extended time between repotting it becomes even more important, so use a water source with low total dissolved solids.

And with any mature, healthy orchid that is growing well but doesn't flower, cut back on fertilizer (along with increasing light).

[pjoeverett]

I can only hope! I have at least 6 fans so I feel like I need that width in the pot, however when I did repot there was not much mix left but roots looked good. Sun comes at a premium in Ohio in the winter, but will provide as much sun as possible this summer. And patience that is for grandchildren but with this orchid I am annoyed. Thanks so much and believe me I will post a picture if it even spikes

---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 PM ----------

I thought maybe I should fertilize more and the mix I use is a terrestrial mix for paps and phrag. Now I am armed for the challenge. Thanks so much !

---------- Post added at 02:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:55 PM ----------

Sorry can't seem to get my reply to go under posts