A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Orchid Worries

I have two of the white "Moth" orchids-the Phalienopsis...or whatever it's called.One had flowers last fall and hasn't gotten any more .I re-potted it in the bark/orchid medium and I see roots on the top spreading out but no flower growth.I have been careful not to overwater (10 days or so).My new one just lost all it's flowers -what do I do now.Am I suppose to be feeding these every time I water.Does anyone have any suggestions.Some people say these are carefree but I am having a nervouse break-down with them.I really do love them tho.

I was told they for a while, then quit for a rest. Then bloom again?///Not constantly.

dodge

It can take a long time for an orchid to bloom. I used to have one and it took a year to bloom. They are pickey plants and I know they do go dorment. Yours might be trying to adjust to their home or they may be entering a dorment stage. Keep them moist, but don't overwater and make sure they have good filtered light. Don't use tap water either. Use filtered water.

I read this in a post here a long time ago...
...to keep a wooden skewer in my orchids, and take it out every few days and hold it to my lips so I could feel how wet it was. When the skewer is dry, then water the orchid. If the skewer has any moisture on it, put it back in and check it the next day.

I do this...and it must be good advice because my orchids always do well.

that sounds like an excellent way to keep tabs on moisture content! *goes off to put a bamboo skewer in her orchid*

Keep the medium moist and wait another year. Medium light level, no direct sun. They need a slight cool night period to induce flower buds. 10-15 degree day/night difference. Feed every other watering with half strength miracle grow or orchid food.

Tom

I am so tempted. So very very tempted. But I'm even more chicken lol.

WOW! what a great idea...I am putting it on my shopping list...I LOVE this forum....so MANY GREAT ideas...

I bought an orchid off the discount rack because it lost all its flowers. It has a new leaf but no progress in the flowering department, about how long will it be before I see signs of flowers?