Rhyncholaelia digbyana grows like weed, won't bloom
 

So I have these growing in a 12" diameter pot growing in semi hydro. They grow like a weed - there are probably 100 pseudobulbs / growths in the pot. They also appear to get enough light as they are tinged slightly red. However they will not bloom for me. I have had exactly one bloom.

I am wondering if these need a dry period or a temperature swing or something to trigger blooming. My catts these are with bloom regularly.

Culture:
- Semi Hydro
- Watered weekly with Reverse osmosis and K-lyte
- High intensity LEDs (P600 Watt Platinum LED) on for 12 hours a day.

Happy to provide pictures if helpful.

Would love any advice

Robert Fuchs of RF Orchids in Homestead, Florida told me to give this the highest light intensity possible in winter. They grow in the Yucatan Peninsula high up in semi-deciduous trees with a slightly drier and very much brighter winter. He said he grows it very wet in a wheelbarrow inside the somewhat shady greenhouse in summer, then moves the wheelbarrow out into an open area for the winter, receiving Florida rain only. The plant is green in summer and purple in winter, and blooms profusely.

Id love to see a photo of that!

Photo attached - love any input.
 

Here is a photo for reference.

You are certainly growing it well. It is very green. Based on what Robert Fuchs told me, try to give it enough light to turn completely purple in winter. You might need extra ventilation to keep it from burning with that much light.

Remember, though, that Rl. digbyana can have a wide range of anthocyanin, from "enough to have pink in the flowers" to none at all. I have an alba that has no pigment in the flowers, and no sign of color in the leaves even with the same light that produces plenty of color in the leaves of others that still have "mostly" white/green flowers but some color in the leaves. If the plant is alba or albescent, you'll burn it before you get purple because it just doesn't have the pigment. I wonder about other factors, such as light duration, or temperature variation that might also be involved.

I still think it needs more light

That's a great looking plant! Wish my little one was already this big. Agreed... more light. Mine is in a south window, and also under LEDs. Just now getting to blooming size. I've had it 6" away from the light all winter. Have an oscillating fan that keeps a breeze going over the room. It's still more green than I'd like.

I also suspect it's lack of light that prevents this from blooming. How close to the LED is the plant? Also, you'll want to adjust the daylength throughout the year so the plant knows what season it is. Giving it a drier winter rest will likely help too.

Thank you for the input all… and a few answers.
 

Thank you everyone - this is super helpful to get the collective wisdom of the group.

- So lighting is a 600 watt (legit) full spectrum LED (think Cannabis farm intensity). However the top of plants are probably 2ft from the lights as I grow these with larger (taller) catts and dendrobiums.

- Currently there is no seasonal variation. Lights are on for 12 hours a day and watering / fertilization schedule is constant year round.

- An easy change would be increasing the length of time the lights are on. Do y’all think I also need to scale back watering as well? Or just try longer lighting period first?

Thanks again!