Dtps. Joy Green Bee

[Vanda lover]

Mine too. Many orchids prefer a drop at night, and even many houseplants like Xmas cactus too.

[Merlyn]

When I used to bring mine up to a room where I closed the door, had the heat turned off and the window open, I would keep doing for 2 - 3 weeks until I saw a spike starting. Then I'd keep it in the normal growing area. I agree it has to be a minimum 15 degree difference to work, and yes, NO lower than 50.

[Vanda lover]

I saw a man on a garden show once who said to put them in the fridge. The problem is, he didn't say for how long.

[quiltergal]

I agree with what everyone else has said (except for putting them in the fridge ). However, you did say you bought it half dead a few months ago. If it was in really bad shape I would not expect it to bloom this year. When stressed it is not uncommon for them to skip a bloom cycle. Once it has grown some new leaves and roots and stored up some energy it will bloom.

[Ben Belton]

I wouldn't suggest putting them in the fridge. I had mine outside in the fall. They got to 75-80 during the day and 55-65 at night. I have spikes everywhere.

[Vanda lover]

I agree. It's easy enough to get a temperature drop naturally. It only needs a few degrees.

[denvervet]

Ok, back again! Now that I know more about Orchids I have another question about my Dtps Joy Green Bee. When I got it the leaves were mushy, it was dying, its a Lowes mark-down. The two plants I got sent out new plants which have their own roots and they are big now. Should I remove the keiki's and repot them or leave them on there? I imagine it produced keiki's since it was so sick at one time. The "mother" plant has not grown new leaves on its own plant, can someone help me with this? I guess I need to move it to a cold window too, I have just the window and will try it for 3 weeks.

[Vanda lover]

If there are good roots on the keikis, remove them and plant them in small pots in well soaked media. Sphag works really well for seedlings, but be careful not to over pot. Keep your seedling in a warm place. If the adult plant is sick, you need to keep it warm too. Cooler temperatures are for healthy plants that you want to get in to bloom.

[denvervet]

Thank you for the information, I am going to wait until the Spring to remove the keiki's, they do have nice big roots on them. I will give them to my brother who is just recently getting into orchids.

---------- Post added at 01:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 PM ----------

Oh, forgot to ask, so what then happens to the mother plant? Should it get new leaves?

[quiltergal]

Can you post a picture of the mother plant? Mushy leaves don't sound good. If they are just wrinkled and limp that's one thing. Mushy and wet could be erwinia, a bacterial infection that spreads like wild fire. We should be able to tell by looking at it.