C. 'Ports of Paradise Emerald Isle' - Won't flower

[Dorothy]

Awesome green one!
I can definitely see the digbyana influence
http://www.merklesorchids.com/2Image...f_paradise.jpg

[SueK]

Thanks Dorothy for sending that link with the pic of 'Emerald Isle". That is not exactly the same as other pic I had seen previously of 'Emerald Isle". It is much better than I imagined. It is magnifico. Yes you can definitely see digbyana in it. Almost looks like a twin. I am really enthusiastic now to get the stubborn little thing flowering.

[cowboy51278]

Its funny that this post is up. A friend of mine has this plant and was saying how it wouldn't bloom for him until he let it get so pot bound that it crawled out of the pot. Then bammo.....BLOOMS! Ive heard that sometimes digbyana can be the same way. Any rate, I did a search for a pic and the first one I found of Ports of Paradise Emerald Isle shows a blooming plant hanging out of the pot. Anyone else have any success this way? Have to get me one of these!!!

[Don Perusse]

Hey Cowboy51278, that is one beautiful plant. Tho it is more difficult to re-pot once they go over the edge. They should have re-potted sooner into a larger pot and would make a stunning "specimen".

[Shirley]

That is a gorgeous plant, Paul. Interesting comments! I repotted mine about a year and a half ago so I think I'll just leave it and let it fill the pot! We'll see what happens, thanks.

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by SueK

I have had this flowering size division of C. Ports of Paradise Emerald Isle for 4 years and it hasn't flowered yet. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I am going wrong?

Does it maybe need stronger light than normal, because I have a feeling that my shadecloth is darker than 50% but I am not sure, as I bought the bush house 2nd hand. It is supposed to have a green flower. Does anyone else out there have this orchid who can tell me what growing conditions they have?

Thanks in anticipation of an answer.

Hi Sue...I just saw this thread, and thought I'd respond to it. I have found that my cattleyas like LOTS of high light. Sooooooooo, I removed my 40% shade cloth. At that time, I had just received a very large Emerald Isle ( in bud ) from a grower, which bloomed. After E.I. finished blooming, it was re-potted. Now, it has five almost mature new growths. I have started to give it Peters 10-30-20 blossom booster. I expect to have at least ten flowers this Fall....Will let you know. Hope this helps...BettyE.

[NYCorchidman]

50% shade is too much.
Up the light and you will see flowers in no time.

Good Luck!

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

50% shade is too much.
Up the light and you will see flowers in no time.

Good Luck!

I sure do agree with the above! I took off my 40% shade cloth because my orchids were not getting enough light to set blooms. I now have spikes on two plants... ( Emerald Isle )Three on one & one on another. They are both getting blossom booster until I can see the spikes inside of the sheaths. Hope yours gets some flowers soon...BettyE.

[SimJam]

Question:
When you say cattleyas need lots of light would 4 hours of strong sunlight from about 7-11am be sufficient?

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by Don Perusse

Hey Cowboy51278, that is one beautiful plant. Tho it is more difficult to re-pot once they go over the edge. They should have re-potted sooner into a larger pot and would make a stunning "specimen".

I agree with this post...mine are NEVER growing out of the pot, & they bloom at least once a year. High light, along with 10-30-20 fertilizer at the right time works for me.....BettyE