C. percivaliana doesn't bloom...

[LaelioCatnNC]

Dear Orchid Board Members,
I have a small collection of 24 orchids. I have Phals, Cattleyas, 1 Cymbidium, Schomburgkia, L. tenebrosa... All do fairly well. I live in Kernersville, NC. In the summer I hang my orchids in the trees where they receive the light and natural rain water that does them much good. In the winter they are in an insulated garage near a window. I have had a C. percivaliana for about 5 years now and it has never bloomed. The leaves and pseudobulbs are large and it puts out new growth every year but never blooms. I feed it regularly and just repotted it this spring. My only guess is that I am not giving it enough light to flower because the leaves are dark green. Does anyone have any growing / flowering tips for C. percivaliana? I will post a picture of it in my gallery pictures. It will be the only plant without a bloom.
Thank you, --- Matt

[Gage]

I don't know this species, but you're right to think of light first. Since it seems healthy and everything, the only other thing that comes to mind is night light. Certain Catt species (someone chime in here) will not bloom if their nighttime darkness is lessened by a street light, or light from a window, etc.

[isurus79]

I'm guessing its your light levels. That is the usual culprit, but the fact that you have this one in your garage during winter (C. perci blooming season) is what really makes me think this. Try giving it supplemental light this year when you bring it inside.

[silken]

OrchidWiz says this species is one that often grows in full sun and that winter (when it blooms) usually has clear skies. If it is really strong light it may require some shading at high noon and need to be slowly introduced to more light but this is likely your problem. You may need to get it directly under a good light in winter time.

[Brooke]

I agree it is probably not getting enough light. It isn't a species that needs the natural change of light during the season like the labiata.

I just divided and repotted mine because it is growing its next pbulbs that will produce blooms for me from Thanksgiving until Christmas.


C percivaliana 'Summit' FCC-AOS JCL_1281 by kentucky4, on Flickr

Brooke

[james mickelso]

Beautiful Brooke. Yes this species needs lots of light during the growing season and especially during it's bloom time. Found in the Venezuelan andes mts at around 4000-6000 ft. Also found growing in full sun on rocky cliffs. It's named the Christmas Orchid due to it's normal blooming time though some varieties bloom in fall. Very nice colors here Brooke.