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My Ascocenda (Princess Mikasa) isn't reblooming
Hi,
I'm new to the forum and to Vanda orchids and I am hoping for some help from the experts out there. I purchased my first Vanda (Ascocenda) about a year ago (in bloom) and have been working to get it to rebloom since. It is in a pot (coarse bark) and it seems to be healthy as I have had about 8" of new (big) root growth and about 8 new leaves. Unfortunately, no new flower spike. I live in southern Wisconsin and give the orchid as much light as I can (southern exposure) and I even added a grow light for 3 extra hours per day in late winter which has helped lighten the dark green of the leaves. I mist daily and fertilize with 19-31-17 orchid fertilizer. I water twice a week (one soaking, lighter watering midweek). All my Paph's and spider ochids rebloom and are healthy. Indoor temps are between 55-70 year round, however humidity is low. I am running a humidifier and have the Vanda over a water tray and manage to hold the humidity to about 40-50%. I have noticed that the Vanda's older flower spikes emerged about every other or every third leaf. I have had about 12 new leafs since last spike. Does this mean that something is not triggering flower spikes and all the energy is going to the leaves? Perhaps I am just being impatient, but any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers, Bob |
This is kind of in my expertise. First off, this is a strap leaf and the leaves don't necessarily need to be a light shade of green. Here are a few things I would suggest you adjust.
Increase the humidity a lot more. Switch to a balanced fertilizer 20-20-20; I use tropi-gro orchid plus but i'm not sure if its available outside of Jamaica. Fertilize every day when the weather in your area gets warm-hot. (Wet the roots first before fertilizing as this will wash away excess salts so you won't have salt build-up) Provide good air movement and if the weather permits get it outside & hang in a partially shaded spot or sun it outside so it can get full morning sun up until around 10:30am and then provide dappled sunlight after that and if possible full sun after 4:30pm as the setting sun is not very intense. I suggest watering early so your orchid can dry out throughout the day. As long as you water before 9am in the morning & if its really hot you can dampen it between 4-4:30pm. Make sure it is situated in an area where it can experience a significant drop in temperature between the day & the night. Without this temp range sometimes a vanda will be reluctant to spike. And most important; be patient. When you adjust your care and it is ready and happy it will spike. :biggrin: Good Luck; i know you'll get it spiking again. |
If your window faces due south, that's great light in winter when sun is lower in the sky to yhe south, but not in summer when sun is overhead. A sunnier summer spot might be helpful - or more artificial light.
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I, too, grow Ascocenda Princess Mikasa indoors all year in a South facing window. The window, however, is tall and narrow (approx. 6' x 2'). My watering schedule sounds similar to yours and I doubt that my humidity is much higher. However, I think that your temps are to cool for Ascocenda. Mine are 62° F winter nights, 70° days. Summer temps are ambient (no air conditioning). This orchid is currently throwing a spike and blooms for me about 3 times/year.
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Hope this helps, it's a beautiful flower. Which cultivar do you have? Mine is 'Sapphire'. |
This is correct, higher temperatures means faster growth; that along with higher humidity. Good air movement to prevent bacteria and fungus with the high humidity and cool nights.
60 degrees Fahrenheit at night and up to 95 degrees F in the days. With such high temperatures fertilizing frequently is a must. Think of it like this; putting the orchid is such conditions plus high light is like giving your vanda a workout, you will need to replenish its exerted energy. |
Thanks for the advice
Thanks to all of you for the advice. I have learned more about this flower from this thread than all the searching I did on the internet.
Paphluvr, I am envious of 3 spikes a year! I mentioned that our temperatures were between 55-70. Rarely do we go down to 55 and more typically night time temps (winter) are about 60 with daytime about 70....sounds like not too far off from yours. I am not sure of the cultivar I have....it is simply labeled "Pink". Perhaps I will try some added fertilizer and see what happens...otherwise, just wait. Cheers to you all and thank you! Bob |
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Here is a picture of mine from the last blooming. Ascda. Princess Mikasa 'Sapphire' stem | Flickr - Photo Sharing! |
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