New Orchid Enthusiast!!!

[debi]

Hi I just thought I should introduce myself. I bought a phal for my daughter last year for her 18th birthday and so the journey began. Since then I have bought about 6 orchids (phal, den and miltonia and cal) My husband bought me grow lights and that has really helped. The phal I bought my daughter rebloomed 3 days before her 19th birthday which was very exciting. I have much to learn about this. My den grew a keiki and I managed to repot the 'baby' ... so far it looks healthy in it's own little pot. I can't seem to get the dendr. to rebloom though. Any ideas? It is under a grow light and gets weak fertilizer weekly. Oh I am living in Western Canada so not alot of natural sun yet. I am longing for spring!! Well that is it for now....

[Sharyn]

Hi Debie. Welcome to the forum. I too have Phals. I love them. Have 3 in bloom since January. I'm also struggling with the dens. right now - they seem to be in a resting state and torture me each day with another leaf loss.

Update your profile with your location - we all like to see where members reside. Good luck with your orchids. There's a wealth of information on this site; I'm sure you'll enjoy.

[mayres]

Welcome Debi - If you are trying to rebloom your dendrobium under grow lights this will probably not be enough light unless you are using HID type lighting. Fluorescent lights and/or typical spot grow light bulbs will do for phals, paphs, and other low light plants, but other orchids like dends and most catts will need higher light output to thrive. I put mine outside as soon as the threat of frost is past and this gives them the shot in the arm (so to speak) that they need to set blooms for the winter and spring months. During the cold part of the year I have them mostly under fluorescent bulbs. mike

[Sharyn]

Interesting Mike. When you put your Dens. outside in the spring, do you keep them in a sunny spot or partial shade? Mine are in south window now and will move outdoors late spring. I'm more worried about strong winds damaging them. This will be my first year with dens. - still on the learning curve.

[debi]

Thanks for the tip about HID lighting. I haven't heard of that before. What does that stand for? Also about putting dens outside: do they need to be in a shaded spot. I live in a very hot spot in Canada and my yard has alot of direct sun... wouldn't want to fry the wee thing!! Thanks!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Many high light plants can take full morning sun before the temperature gets too warm.