Gastrochilus japonicus (Project 12 - Spring 2011)

[Zoi2]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Congrats indeed!

What do you guys believe you did to get yours to bloom? I'm dying with anticipation for mine to do so, lol...

Do you have a spike? It seems to take about 2-3 months for mine to bloom after the spike is detected. I just water and fertilize normally and patiently WAIT .
Joann

[Paul Mc]

Nope. No spikes, just a few new roots and a keiki, lol... And yes, orchids have taught me some patience, but still have a long way to go apparently, lol...

[Jennyfleur]

Hmm, this is the third set of flowers for me and as boring as it sounds (or possibly annoying from your point of view!), I haven't really done anything - just watered and fertilised every other time (more or less). It's been in quite a high light warm area, but I'll be moving it to a shadier spot now that we've actually got some summer sun here and I've noticed that the leaves have lightened quite a lot

[RosieC]

I'm afraid to say Paul but I'm the same as Jenny, I'm on my third round of spikes and I've not done anything special.

Mine is in my bathroom which is reasonably warm (in the winter the heating is set 20C when we're in and 15C when we're out and at night, the bathroom might get a little warmer but probably not much). It's in a south facing window, but about 1' back with some other plants slightly shading it.

Mine is mounted. I aim to water every day in the summer, 2 days out of 3 in the winter, but it semi-often goes longer as I'm often behind on my watering

[Paul Mc]

Well, mine is mounted and I water daily. It's been in a windowsill getting very bright light until it warmed up enough to go out. Perhaps it's the fertilizer then cuz I'm always forgetting to do that.

[Paul Mc]

I also have noticed the bottom leaves are turning yellow, though I just thought it was from sun exposure when I moved it outside into brighter light.

[RosieC]

Not sure about the leaves, could be just normal leaf drop, although I'm not sure mine has ever dropped any.

I fertilise every other day (ish) so it does get plenty of that.

[nenella]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Well, mine is mounted and I water daily. It's been in a windowsill getting very bright light until it warmed up enough to go out. Perhaps it's the fertilizer then cuz I'm always forgetting to do that.

Paul,I think that you may have just hit the nail on the head as they say!
I fertilise just about at every watering (weak) Also I wouldn't worry about the bottom leaves as it's normal for older ones to die off at some time..
Start giving it some fert and I'm sure you will see blooms this summer!
By the way I also believe Gastros like humidity mine are in a terrarium.Hope this helps.

[camille1585]

Not sure that high humidity is a must for blooming, mine bloomed fine outside of one, though humidity here is rarely below 60%.

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I also have noticed the bottom leaves are turning yellow, though I just thought it was from sun exposure when I moved it outside into brighter light.

Each time mine has flowered it's lost leaves - the bottom two are turning yellow as I type! Maybe it just doesn't like having too many leaves on the go at once!