Growing paphs but not getting blooms

[Paphluvr]

All are grown on bakers racks in my great room and dining room (the only rooms in my condo with good exposure). Windows in great room nominally 3' x 5'. Doorwall in dining room 6' x 6' (plant stand in front of half). Southwest facing exposure, plants no more than 20" inside window. Cellular shades in GR, shears in DR, drawn during periods of direct sun. Watering about twice/wk summer, a bit less in winter. Water is RO or rain water when available. Fertilize with MSU RO formula. Mix is my own, primarily a mix of fine and medium CHC, perlite, sharp white sand, Growstone, charcoal and some minor additives.

A lot of people do not like CHC, but I think the reason they don't have luck with it is that they don't rinse it well enough before use. The fibers hold moisture well and do not break down as fast as bark.

[Dulcinea]

Do you mean you keep them 20” from the window or at least 20” away?

[Paphluvr]

Front of the shelves 6" from window, rear of shelves 20" from window. Like I said previously, they do need to be shaded during periods of direct sun. My last abode also had southern exposure as the only good growing areas so they have slowly gotten used to a higher light exposure than most growers would give them.

[Dulcinea]

I tried so send you a post earlier but it wouldn’t go. I’ll try again. I found a tag on one plant. I couldn’t see the roots so I unposted it, rinsed and checked the roots. The roots were all good but one broke in half. The growing medium has broken down and is damp. The other has excellent roots. You can see them through the pot. I’ll keep them in the house from now on. I’ll try to send the photos separately so at least you’ll receive this.

[Dulcinea]

I’ll try these!

[estación seca]

The plant with white roots is a Phalaenopsis.

[Dulcinea]

How embarrassing that is! I looked at the three divisions and never even thought phal! How could you tell?🥴

[estación seca]

• Paphiopedilums have medium brown, fuzzy roots;
• Phalaenopsis have white roots with green tips when young, tan when older, always smooth;
• Paphiopedilums have relatively thin, flexible leaves, easier to bend without damage, and not shiny;
• Phalaenopsis have thicker, stiff, shiny leaves that break when bent;
• Paphiopedilums have leaves relatively narrower and generally more pointed;
• Phalaenopsis generally have wider leaves, generally rounder and less pointed, though some are pointed.

The easiest way to tell is by the roots. Your Phal is not going to flower with 15 hour days.

[Dulcinea]

Thanks for the info ES. That’s helpful. Maybe I’ll know the difference now. Lol

There is one thing though. I have a lot of phals for some reason though they aren’t my favorites. They bloom reliably every year almost 100%. Maybe they all do. I don’t keep track that close. They have been outside all summer and are now inside under low light and a temp drop every night. They were out long enough to get that drop outside too. This year the last one just finished blooming and the first one of the fall is in bloom. They are probably starting to initiate spikes now or will be soon. I think it’s because I leave them out so long in the fall.

[estación seca]

Drop in temperature does trigger Phals to flower, though many flower without it so long as they aren't kept evenly quite warm. Have you been keeping Sugar Suite in the house year round?