Dendrobium Velvet Melody keeps growing, but no flower stalks?

[bunnylotus]

I have had this Dendrobium velvet melody phal since July 2019. It was like a hidden gem purchase at a grocery store - literally in the back shelf behind all of these standard white phals, and when I saw it I HAD TO HAVE IT!

Well it's been doing great since I bought it. It was in bloom at the time, it dropped the blooms Aug of 2019, and has gown probably 5 new canes in the last year? I mean it's like constantly sprouting new growths its insane. You can see a new one already growing again in the pictures.

Some of the grows as you can see are smaller than others, and one of the newer ones has gotten much bigger. That said, IT WILL NOT GROW ANY FLOWERS!!!!!!!!!!

There is one cane that looks like what is the beginning of potentially growing a flower spike, (see pic) but honestly it has looked like that green nubbin for 4 weeks now with no development.

For some background, this orchid I water rather regularly, gets good humidity, is in a southern facing (although shaded southern window exposure). It also gets nitrogen slow release fertilizer, which I noticed made a huge improvement in the size of the canes it produced. I have repotted it once in the year since i've had it (same sized pot) just put it in new bark / sphagnum combo medium since the old medium was rather old and decaying.

Does it need more light? Or is it just gonna keep doing its thing until it decides flowers are in it's near future? Does it need a repot? The flowers are just so absolutely stunning i'm dying to get it to rebloom. Any thoughts/feedback is seriously appreciated!

Appreciate you all,

Bunnylotus

[estación seca]

The ancestors are all high light/warm growers. I would move it to more light.

[Ray]

I think the “more light” recommendation is a good one, but the fertilizer has me a bit concerned. Here’s what I’m thinking:

The rate of nutrient release in slow-release fertilizers is controlled by temperature. If warm, the release rate is faster than when the pot temperature is cooler.

If fed too much nitrogen, plants will grow like mad, but flowering can be totally suppressed.

That said, I have no idea how much of what product you used, or what temperature you are growing this plant, and excess nitrogen is often accompanied by a bright, emerald green coloration to the leaves, which doesn’t appear to be the case in those photos, but you might compare its current appearance to its former self.

[bunnylotus]

The light was my concern because our house in general doesn’t have good light. And even though the plant is in a southern exposure it’s on the side facing our neighbors house. They have so many trees plus a tall hedge and fence so probably the light is not enough to stimulate flower growth. I can take a pic of the fertilizer tomorrow. I used a very tiny amount, well under recommended dose, (they look like small grey pebbles), since I just wanted to test it out, so I’m less concerned there!

I have an east facing exposure that might get more light perhaps I can move her there? Have any of you used artificial light to help with flower growth? I only ask because again I don’t have in our house the best natural light options so I’ve thought about supplementing with proper LEDs. That said haven’t done enough research to know what’s best.


To answer your questions about temp- we live in north TX - so it is very warm here. In the house never really below 75-78. And plants are away from any and all draft areas. I also have a humidifier in my room to make sure humidity is solid for all the orchids / my other plants. I try and avoid bringing the orchids outside because of bugs and ... I forget about them🥴. I burned a Cattleya once so horribly so I’m a bit traumatized. Also, temps have started “dropping” so not the hottest or best time to start transition to outside porch time.

***


Also Ray I can tell you unrelated from this orchid I used your kelpmax on my sick Cattleya and it has done marvelously and is actually growing buds. 100% successful rescue!

[estación seca]

It sounds like light is the issue. I would move it to a brighter window if you have one. Remember direct sun might burn leaves not accustomed to it, so put a fan on them or have a sheer curtain in the window.

[bunnylotus]

I did just that this morning! I moved it to the east facing window in my office next to my rescue Cattleya, which has done very well in this location. I’ve got a filtered curtain/white shade so the light is strong without being direct!!

Hopefully this helps! I will keep you all posted!

[bunnylotus]

Hi guys wanted to provide an update here. I took the advice and ended up moving this guy to a south facing window in the house, (technically our unused sliding doors). This gets very bright light behind a curtain. I have in fact moved a couple of my orchids there.

100% it was the improper light that was keeping my velvet melody from blooming. It has now grown a flower stalk and produced many buds. I cannot wait to take pics of the blooms!

Thanks for the help 🥳😇

[Dollythehun]

Just FYI: don't cut any older canes off. Even leafless (yes, that will happen) they'll bloom.

[estación seca]

Congratulations!

[Ray]

Excellent!!!