A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Non-blooming orchid

I gave a friend the gift of an orchid over a year ago. I even bought it from a garden shop and not from one of the home improvement stores. At the time, the orchid was not blooming but I was assured that within about three weeks, it would bloom.

We are still waiting. I constantly ask my friend how the plant is doing and recently she said that it is still alive and green, but no blooms. She has had orchids before and knows how to take care of them. I don't. Still, this seems very odd to me that this plant seems to be fine otherwise, yet doesn't bloom. I've been in the home improvement stores and have seen orchids blooming much better than the one I bought from a garden shop. I wanted to replace her other orchid but she still has faith that this one will still bloom.

Does anyone know what is wrong with this orchid? Will it still bloom if it is green otherwise? Any suggestions as to what to do to get it to bloom?

Thanks for any help.

How is the light exposure to the orchid?

Probalby needs more light and/or fertilizer. You ARE feeding it right?

I have no idea. It is not my orchid. It was a gift I gave to a friend of mine. I know that she has a greenhouse. Since she has had orchids before, I would think she is giving it the right light.

As far as I know my friend is feeding it all right. She said that she has fertilized it and as I said to Gremelin, she has it in a greenhouse. I would think it is in the right light.

I'm having the same issue with mine (I have 3). The large one just drooped its last flower..so we're good. It was in bloom for over 6 months! but the smaller ones haven't rebloomed in months. I bought them together and they were all in bloom then. The small one went dormant soon after coming home and are still the same. I've moved them to the wondowsill (South-facing) and waiting to see a change. Light is not an issue at my place, it's always bright even without the lights being on. I wasn't sure about feeding while dormant, so I skipped the feed

I also heard exposing them to a little bit of cooler temparature sometimes shocks them "back to life"?

Thanks. I'll keep the cooler temperature in mind. Sorry to hear that you have the same problems, but at the same time, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who got an orchid with those same problems. At least yours was blooming when you bought it. My friend seems to know how to take care of an orchid. It is just me that feels like I gave her a dud since it hasn't bloomed at all in over a year. If this can be something normal, maybe I shouldn't worry, but I'll tell her about the cooler temp just in case she hadn't heard that tip.

Thanks again, Priyanka.

No problem! And it also feels good to see I'm not the only one. I'm keeping them on the windowsill and misting them everyday. Hope that works! I'm OK with the large one being dormant now (deserves a rest) but the other 2 are just sitting there. Both of them did grow one new leaf each but that's it! Roots are healthy and stuff so I don't get it! Guess both of ours need some sunlight and cool temperature. Do update me if your situation changes! :)

light exposure.

What do you mean? Too much or not enough light exposure?

My friend has it in a greenhouse, but I don't know how much light it is getting. What should it be?

Usually orchids that don't bloom, the common orchids one would purchase from a plant store at any rate, need to have their light increased if they don't bloom, assuming correct fertilizing and watering. Also, some species of orchid only bloom once a year.
BTW, most plant stores have 1 year warranties, so if they promise you blooms within 3 months and nothing happens, you would be within your rights to request a refund or a new plant.

Once upon a time I had the sweetest orchid.
It bloomed for about 4 years an twice a year.
One day it quit on me.
Since then None seem to do that?????

Was fun while it lasted.
zone 5 killer here.