DESPERATE for Bellina help!

[DelawareJim]

Elliot;

I'd say give it more light too.

I'm near Philly so light quality should be the same as yours out in the 'Burg. I have a violacea in an east window, I'd say about 4-5 inches from the glass. It gets full sun for about 4 hours in the morning.

Way to go Pens!

Cheers.
Jim

[dr_dmd]

I recently moved mine to a brighter location (about 6 weeks ago) and it has perked up a lot. I also think it is warmer in its new location. Peyond that, it seems to me that some plants just tend to be more challenging than others. The Zen of Phals! Best wishes to you - if you find something helps, please post!!!

[Royal]

Originally Posted by cb977

You might just have to find it's "happy place"

It's not always all about the "correct" numbers in lighting and temps...sometimes a chid wants to be in a place that makes no sense (according to the books) but it's the place they like

try moving it a bit out of the range it's in now. It won't hurt the chid and may give it the boost it needs

This is extremely good advice for just about any shy bloomer. It's a permutation of "do what works for you" and that is also one of my favorite pieces of advice.

A few years ago, moving things around or slightly out of their current spot actually made my Paphs bloom for me. I had almost given up on them. I still don't grow them very well, but they sure are happier.

[quiltergal]

The first thing I try with any of my reluctant bloomers is to bump up the light. I'm growing all of my species Phals in Catt light, and they're all doing great, and most have bloomed. I also agree with the cooler temps in fall. That seems to work for all my Phals, species and hybrid alike.

[mehitabel]

I realize that bumping up the light for reluctant bloomers is the thing to do, and has worked for me many times. BUT...

Just wanted to double check with Ben Bolton and cb977, who recommended that bellinas need more light than other phals --

1. Is the more-light than others true of violacea as well as bellina?

2. The temperature drop in fall-- how does this reconcile with the recommended low temp for bellina being 65F?

Not trying to argue with anyone, just wanted people to expand their comments a bit for my enlightenment.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by mehitabel

I realize that bumping up the light for reluctant bloomers is the thing to do, and has worked for me many times. BUT...

Just wanted to double check with Ben Bolton and cb977, who recommended that bellinas need more light than other phals --

1. Is the more-light than others true of violacea as well as bellina?

2. The temperature drop in fall-- how does this reconcile with the recommended low temp for bellina being 65F?

Not trying to argue with anyone, just wanted people to expand their comments a bit for my enlightenment.

The picture I posted shows a Phal violacea in the brightest light along with a Phal bellina cross to the right of it.

All or most of my Phal species are in this same area

[Louder Than Hell]

On this usefull website Phalaenopsis bellina anglais you can find average pluviometry, humidity, max and min temps month by month. Look like she may need a water stress, otherwise it may be a temp problem, such high min temp or other

[Ben Belton]

Originally Posted by mehitabel

1. Is the more-light than others true of violacea as well as bellina?

I find that to be true, yes. I grow under lights and I try to put the violaceas and bellinas right under them.

Originally Posted by mehitabel

2. The temperature drop in fall-- how does this reconcile with the recommended low temp for bellina being 65F?

I find that it is not so much the absolute temperature you get them to, but the change in temperature. So if is was 85 during the day, a few nights at 65-70 are great. I usually put my plants (Phals) outside in the summer and bring them in when the lows are in the upper 50's. Some plants will spike without the change.

[mehitabel]

Ben Bolton and CB977: thanks for the clarifications

[Louise]

well , I guess that not living in the same part of the world give me other conditions than yours. Anyway, i grow bellinas and violaceas and they bloom regulary each sping for a few months.
I grow them only under artificial lights inside an indoors small greenhouse. they are on the top shelf just under the light along with somme catts and even a vanda coerulescens (that blooms too)
the temperature is around 25C (22/27Cdepending on the external temperature of the room) humidity around 60/70. so yes for me too bellinas needs more light and heat than hybrids ;-)