Growing or flowering???

[Orchitty]

Just curious how everyone handles the question of whether to focus on growing your orchid or flowering it? Where I live, I usually put my orchids outside when it's warmer out. This does wonders for growth. When my orchids are blooming, however, I bring them inside where the flowers fare better and where I can enjoy them more. With how slowly orchids grow, I'm always so conflicted when there's a young growth AND it's flowering. Isn't the whole purpose of keeping orchids to enjoy the flowers? But with more and bigger growth I could produce more and better blooms... What do you guys do?

[Bulbopedilum]

I just leave orchids in a spot they like and wait until they flower. I never move any of my orchids inside.

If you are still having this crisis, consider jewel orchids, mainly grown for their leaves.

[Orchitty]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

I just leave orchids in a spot they like and wait until they flower. I never move any of my orchids inside.

If you are still having this crisis, consider jewel orchids, mainly grown for their leaves.

Ha! Well, not all of us are lucky enough to live in the tropics Where I live, we get snow 4-5 months out of the year so I can't leave them in one place. And the thing I love about orchids are the flowers

[AnonYMouse]

My Sedirea's leaves are lobsided due to an accident. I moved it to a lower light location to focus on leaves. No leaf in sight (in 8-10 months?). The pre-existing leaves are dark, very dark, almost black. Have had two spikes instead. They do what they do. *sigh*

It also looks like it's doing a very slow summersault. More effects of light changes.

At least in my case, I think it's about timing. I think I moved it at the wrong time.

(Outside is not an option for me. Aggressive squirrels, scale and mealie bugs are regularly sighted.)

[estación seca]

A lot of people grow orchids in one place, and move them inside when they flower. You're growing them to enjoy the flowers, right?

[Orchitty]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

My Sedirea's leaves are lobsided due to an accident. I moved it to a lower light location to focus on leaves. No leaf in sight (in 8-10 months?). The pre-existing leaves are dark, very dark, almost black. Have had two spikes instead. They do what they do. *sigh*

It also looks like it's doing a very slow summersault. More effects of light changes.

At least in my case, I think it's about timing. I think I moved it at the wrong time.

(Outside is not an option for me. Aggressive squirrels, scale and mealie bugs are regularly sighted.)

Aww... I hope it recovers soon for you. And I've also had many accidents. Broke several flower spikes this winter when moving them to water them.

---------- Post added at 01:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

A lot of people grow orchids in one place, and move them inside when they flower. You're growing them to enjoy the flowers, right?

You are right of course. I do also enjoy seeing them produce new growth though. Sometimes, I feel like they are my children in this way. Very proud to see them grow and thrive.

[Optimist]

To me, it matters what stage they are at. If they are a 1 hand paph, I want several new hands rather than a flower because I know that if the plant is strong and healthy, then flowers are sure to come along. So some I want growth on, and some I want flowers from.

[Ray]

Focus your efforts on providing what the plant needs to grow well. It will flower best when you do.

If you want to move it to less-than-ideal conditions to enjoy its blooms, by all means do and don't worry about it. Just move it back when the blooms are on the way out.