Orchid Maintenance HELP

[msks124]

I have 3 Orchids (I do not know the species name off the top of my head), I have them each planted seperatly with the bark mixture. I've had them for at least a year and they haven't made flowers since I've bought them. They all continue to make new steams and healthy leaves (2 out of 3 more than the other) though and the roots that I can see are nice and white and look rather healthy. I recently bought some orchid food/fertilizer in hopes that that may help, but I also noticed the other day that a few of the bark pecies have mold and or little bug crawling around in them...Should get new bark mixture and replant all three plants?? Any suggestions on how to produce flowers also?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

We really need to know the family name. It just may not be the right season (first year is usually spent just acclimating), and some need special conditions, changes in temperature and lighting, so let us know what they are, and we can be more specific. Cynthia

[msks124]

I have the tags that came with the 2 smaller ones still at home which I can provide tomorrow, but for the bigger one that I have I do not have the name of it and that is the pot that has the bugs. Thanks for any advise though!

[mayres]

If you cannot find the tags a digital photo would help too. An initial stab at the question - if good dark green growth and no flowers that usually points to not enough light as the first thing to consider.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Phalaenopsis can be repotted any time and also Paphiopedilums. Most of the others should only be repotted when the new grow is just putting out its flush of new roots, which is usually shortly after starting to grow. Repotting at any other time could leave the plant rootless for many months. Cynthia

[msks124]

I keep forgetting to get the tag everytime I go home. I can take a picture tonight also, but all there is to see is some steams, leaves and roots. Kodos to anyone who could tell what type it is by that. As for the light, I have them in the widow sill where there is plenty of light durning the day that comes trough, so I wouldn;t think that would be the issue. I will try to get the picture tonight and load it up tomorrow. Thanks again!

[msks124]

Finally - the name for two of them are Dendrobium Orchids if that helps.

[mayres]

Dendrobiums need lots of light to make them bloom. My first orchid that I had for a couple of years was a little white dendrobium that didn't get much direct light and it did the same thing as yours. A couple of years later I got bit by the "bug" (orchids in general) and have hence learned that they need more sunlight - I put them outside on the east side of my house this summer with sunshine until just after noon and now they are busting out with buds and blooms all over!

[msks124]

I am unable to put them outside and then bring then midafternoon since I am at work during the day, but the window I have them in is the best widow for the most light. Do you suggest try re-planting them? Maybe get rid of the of the old mix and replace with new? How much do you suggest watering them? the tag says to let the bark mix dry out inbetween watering, but it doesn't state how much to water them when you do water? I'm sure it ovbious but I do not have a "green thumb" at all.

[mayres]

They certainly don't need to be outside to bloom - just pointing out one way it could be done. They like to be rootbound as much as possible. If the media is breaking down (bark getting spongy and not drying out) it would be good to repot in fresh media, but I would not do it until you see new growth appearing and new roots forming. Lots of media types are avaiable and work well depending upon growing area and culture techniques. I use a fine bark with perlite that seems to do well. Others use lava rock and blends of several types of media. Another option to consider in the future for lighting is supplying supplemental light if you cannot get enough natural light to your plant(s). The do require some darkness each day though, so don't have daylight all day and artificial light all night. Many put them under fluorescent lights or other types of incandescent lights - or even more sophisticated metal halide or sodium vapor lights. However, I would suspect that a good bright window should give you some success however. My little white dend I eluded to did get put in a south window back a foot or so from the glass and got enough light to bloom one season before I decided on the outdoors routine. Watering will depend upon media selected. With my fine bark I generally give them water about once per week - seems to work well. If you do use bark you will want to soak the bark for 24-48 hours to start with and then for awhile you will want to consider (IMHO) soaking for 10-15 minutes each time you water to make certain the bark continues to absorb moisture. After awhile I have found the bark tends to continue to hold water fairly well with a normal plant watering technique. Flush really well by running lots of water through every few months to remove deposits of minerals and/or fertilizer buildup that is not being utilized. Actually, if you've kept them nice and green all this time you are already on the right track and are probably doing most things correctly already. Good luck! mike

[msks124]

I tell you I have really enjoyed all the help for everyone one this. It has all been very interesting and informative. Tonight when I got home from work I decided to better inspect my plant life. I found a few issues for the smaller ones I realized I should have read the instructions a little closer. it stated that I should remove the inner pot first before water, yes you guessed it I never did that, so I don't think these two were getting enough water. I took those out and repotted those back, I'm hoping that works better. They're roots looked in good shape though and they both have good new growth on each. As for the bigger one, I pulled it out of the pot and I have REALLY over waterd this one. There was quite a bit of water in the pot and the mixture was soaked of course and the roots on this one (the ones under the mixture media) were brown and little mushy. But there are strong white roots that are on top and this one has also new growth that seems to be doing well. Any suggestions on root care for the brown roots? I dont have enough new mixture to repot this, should using the old wet mixture work, or will it be okay without the mixture over night until I can get more? I have also taken pictures this time to show my so called "craftmanship", but I don't know how to upload them on to here.

[mayres]

Here is how I have found it easiest to upload pics with your posts. Go to an online sight like photobucket.com ( http://photobucket.com/ ) and upload your pics there - be sure to size them fairly small so that they will fit nicely on everyone's screen - about a 64K file or so. When you upload to the free site it will give you the links for all of your uploads. Then you just copy them and click on the insert image icon above your quick reply box and insert (paste) the URL you copied in photobucket (or other free online repository). Works slick. Your plant will do fine waiting a day or two for you to get it into good media. Look forward to seeing a pic or two. Good luck! mike

[jerrymeola]

MSKS

I would cut off the old brown roots. I do this on healthy plants as well. I personally believe that these roots are a big cause of what is commonly referred to as root rot.

Old roots decay much faster than the medium in which they are planted. the plants do not need them and they decay rapidly.

My Thailand shipper this week told me he cuts off all the roots of Cattleyas when he re-pots. The most I have ever cut is 95%. I was asking him about removing his Vanda's from the baskets for a different hanging arrangement and he said to just cut the roots (healthy growing roots) as it would not hurt the plant.

I had 76 inches of rain in the last 4 months and orchids growing outdoors got really soaked (and rain was always around sundown so did not dry).
I removed several plants and allowed them to dry over-night. I even put medium in the oven for one orchid to dry and sterilize (without the plant of course). It was special and I did not want to force it to adjust to new medium. It was the plant that is my avatar. It did great.

[jerrymeola]

As to posting photos, you may have problems for a while. Dave upgraded the forum and it put all the settings back to its default setting. Be patient it will get back.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The Dendrobiums are best not allowed to dryout completely while they are growing or blooming, but, while not growing and not blooming, definitely let them dry out. Cynthia