Phalaenopsis not Flowering

[Alan Sailer]

Roy,

The fertilizer is Orchid Pro 7-8-6 and is about 1/4 t into four gallons of DI water. I dunk them once a week all seasons because the climate does not vary. Currently three out of seven phals are blooming so they like the environment. The non-blooming phal looks very happy to me, it is just much darker than all the others. And all those secondary shoot are unusual.

Like I said, the suggestion about temperature sounds like a great thing to try. I'll bring that plant home and let the it stay outside at night. That would mean 73 inside to 67 outside.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Alan Sailer

Roy,

The fertilizer is Orchid Pro 7-8-6 and is about 1/4 t into four gallons of DI water. I dunk them once a week all seasons because the climate does not vary. Currently three out of seven phals are blooming so they like the environment. The non-blooming phal looks very happy to me, it is just much darker than all the others. And all those secondary shoot are unusual.

At that concentration, you are providing about 7 ppm N, and as you're using pure water, you're only providing about 2 ppm Ca. In other words, you are hardly feeding them at all.

If you want the plant to be healthy, I strongly suggest that you increase your 1/4 teaspoon/4 gallons to about 4 teaspoons/4 gallons, giving you about 100 ppm N and 30 ppm Ca - a decent weekly feeding level for many orchids.

[Alan Sailer]

Ray,

I'll consider upping the fertilizer. But it will be messing with a working formula. I've had at least four flowerings (each) over about three years.

Cheers.

[sweta]

Originally Posted by Alan Sailer

I have a collection of generic grocery store phals growing under LEDs at work. I have had many flowering events over the years with all the plants except one.

This plant stays dark green and has at least two offshoot growths that may be kekies. I added a second LED bulb that shines on this plant alone but still after several months it remains dark green.

Any ideas?

I have a similar phal that I purchased in HD 3 years ago and it has never flowered till now unlike all the others that have rebloomed at least once. It has grown healthy looking new leaves as well as lots of roots but just doesnt want to bloom. I would say dont give up on it though I had a phal that bloomed after 2.5 years.

[Alan Sailer]

Thanks for the info. I have it at home now where the temperature does change more. We shall see....

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Alan Sailer

Ray,

I'll consider upping the fertilizer. But it will be messing with a working formula. I've had at least four flowerings (each) over about three years.

Cheers.

Ya, but your bloom spikes might have many more flowers if you reach that optimal fertilizing amount. There's definitely a fertilizer "sweet spot" and it sounds like you might be able to get closer with increased concentration.