Why did my Phalaenopsis Fail to Flower?

[ana22]

I have a Phalaenopsis, which grew a flower spike last year. However it never developed any flowers and in the beginning of this year the spike wihtered and I had to remove it. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why this may have happened?
I believe that I may have over fertilized it, as I did not switch to a flowering fertilizer, but kept using the nitrogen one...
Could someone please help me, so this does not happen again this year? It was really disappointing....

Thankyou
Ana

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What's the potting media?

What do the roots look like?

Temperature?

Humidity?

Light?

Air circulation?

Got any pics?

I also suggest reading the sticky here in the "Beginner Discussion" forum called "The Phal abuse ends here".

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

[camille1585]

I doubt your fertilizer is to blame (unless yours has a very very high N ratio), bloom boosters really aren't necessary to get spikes and IMO are a wasteof money.

More info on your growing conditions would be useful. But of course stuff like this does happen, even if you're doing everything right. I have a phal that grew a spike, it stopped growing and has just been sitting there doing nothing for 2 years.

[Discus]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I have a phal that grew a spike, it stopped growing and has just been sitting there doing nothing for 2 years.

I can just see a thread called "Why is my Phal Procrastinating?" or "Lazy Phal... Help!".

ana - it would be useful to know the details King requested.

[ana22]

Okay thanks.
The details:
Potting mix: Large pieces of Bark, with some polystyrene pieces
Roots are shiny greenish on the surface. I recently repotted after losing the flower spike. The ones underneath went from bright green to yellow. It had some dead ones which I cut off.
Temperature: Room temperature 18-25 degrees
Humidity: I don't really know, it just in a room so probably around 40
Light: Good Light. On a window sill. Lots in the morning and afternoon, but not direct sunlight.
Air circulation: not sure we air condition, so probably there is some in the house

[camille1585]

Those conditions sound pretty good. I can't imagine there being a huge problem since you did get it to spike. I'm still thinking that it's one of those freak occurances. Like I said, I have a Phal that did that while my other dozen or so Phals blooms like clockwork every winter.

Do you have other Phals, and do they bloom fine? Maybe you could increase the light a bit, Phals can take a few hours of morning light just fine, if you get them used to it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Cut back on the watering a bit. The roots in the medium might be turning yellow and dying prematurely. That's probably why it didn't want to bloom. The roots might've been getting damaged.

You can try repotting into a clear plastic pot to keep tabs on things better.

[amandarenee]

I love phals, but they can be so touchy!

I had one that put up three flower spikes, and had 25+ buds. After only 5 or 6 had bloomed, they all blasted, and I still don't know why, as I didn't change anything. Personally I think phals just like to keep you on your toes.

[PeaceLoveOrchids]

Originally Posted by amandarenee

I love phals, but they can be so touchy!

Personally I think phals just like to keep you on your toes.

I completly agree! Sorry to barge in on the conversation, I'm just putting in my