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Old 03-05-2006, 07:06 AM
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One at a time, they are very different issues.

Phalaenopsis only bloom once a year and require a cool period to set the buds. Now is the season for flowering Phals. Move them to a cooler place where they will get chilling at night to around 50 degrees. 75 degree days and 50 degree nights is perfect for phals. In the north a hall or even a cellar is good. Mine got as low as 36 this year (not on purpose but it can not be prevented outdorrs in florida) but most reference books say this is too low.

The dark green leaves on a phal are not indicative of low light, per se. They always have dark leaves. I posted a method of measuring light using a camera so get a light reading. Phals like low light levels around 1500 footcandles.

here is the link Measuring light levels with an SLR camera

Cattleys are a different issue. They need to be 5-7 years old and want to be very pot bound. Do not repot larger anymore (not as important for Phals). Plants should fill the pot from side to side and do best when they are overgrowing the sides. Repotting too large can set flowering back as much as two years.

As an aside Cattleyas grow along a rizone in only one direction. When repotting they should have the oldest growth pushed against the side of the pot so it can continue to grow across.

If you bought a young plant, it may not be old enough. Many cats bloom only once a year and species orchids seldom bloom more than once. Newer Hybrids can bloom as much as continuously all year round.

Light levels may also be too low. Cats like about 3500-4000 foot candles. In the north best flowering is done by moving the plants to higher light outside in the summer. Indoor flowering of cats require supplimental lights or a very bright southern window. Again measure the light levels.

All orchids do better with regular fertilizers. I recommend a balanced fertilizer 20-20-20, or 10-10-10 or other levels as long as the threee levels are about equal. Fertlize 'weakly weekly'. A teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon of water rather than the tablespoon recommded for tropical plants is the 'weak' solution and then fertilize with this water once a 'week'.

Generally I do not like 'bloom boost fertilizers' where the middle number is high 8-30-15. They do not seem to work as well on orchids as they do on tropical plants. A good healty plant with the right light levels will bloom.
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