No blooms in 2 years...please help!

[celicacutie]

I purchased this Phalaenopsis orchid in 2009 from Home Depot. At first there were a ton of flowers on both stalks. After about 2-3 mos, those fell off. I left the stalks for the longest time and finally cut both down (as I read to do this online) last winter (early 2010). I fear that maybe I did something wrong. The stalks were dried out when I cut them. Are new stalks supposed to grow back? I first started with 2 leaves and now the leaves are growing like crazy.

What can I do to get my orchid to start blooming again? It is in the same pot as when i purchased it. Do I need to re-pot? I only water about 1x a week when it is completely dry.

- never repotted
- never fertilized
- cut stalks
- potting material is a dry mulch (not sure what it is called). This is what it came with when I purchased.
- It sits in my kitchen window (Southern exposure). Blinds are partially closed so it doesn't get direct sunlight.
- I live in Chicago so the plant is in a fairly controlled temp (a/c in summer, heat in winter).

Here are some pics for reference.




I also have another orchid which bloomed this spring/summer. I never cut the stalks when the flowers dropped and I noticed yesterday that a bloom is peaking out. Wasn't there the day before when I watered!




Thanks for any advice! I am sad that it hasn't bloomed in so long!!

[Stitz]

celicacutie,
FIRST-- Welcome to orchidgeeks.com !

Before we go much further re: your plant without blooms for 2 years, it is important to establish WHAT orhcid that you have. There are over 30,000 species of orchids and even more registered hybrids!

Does you plant have an identification label? Often, many come with labels; many don't. If you don't have a label, don't fret. We can work around that, just a little more slowly.

From your description, I am guessing that you have a Phalaenopsis? Once we get a basic ID of your plant, we can get more specific re: your plants' requirements.

Yes, once you "log-in" with 5 posts to orchidgeeks, you are allowed the privelege to post photos.

Be glad that you found us geeks! You will find that we are a VERY friendly group!

--Stitz--

[Daethen]

Stitz is right, we are very friendly. Pics will help. Just post on this thread 4 more times and say hi to get there. I have a phal that has not bloomed for a couple of years, but I am still learning. It some times takes a temperature drop to initiate a spike. If you are getting lots of leaves but no spike, it could be too much fertilizer.

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by Daethen

Stitz is right, we are very friendly. Pics will help. Just post on this thread 4 more times and say hi to get there. I have a phal that has not bloomed for a couple of years, but I am still learning. It some times takes a temperature drop to initiate a spike. If you are getting lots of leaves but no spike, it could be too much fertilizer.

Jonada, perhaps it's a bit early to make recommendations....?

--Stitz--

[celicacutie]

Hello,

Yes, it is a Phalaenopsis. Sorry, I was going to post pics and that is why I didn't ID but forgot to do so when I couldn't post the pictures. Once I get a min, I will get my post count up and update the thread with pictures.

[celicacutie]

added to first post

[celicacutie]

added to first post

[celicacutie]

added to first post

[Daethen]

Sorry, Stitz, I didn't think I was making recommendations, just stating possibilities. The one recommendation I did make worked (celica posted a bunch of things to her own post and was able to post pics )

[vanda_obsession]

Welcome to the forum! I had the issue with a mini den. my mom gave to me, while in bloom, and for two years afterward, it just kinda sat there, alive, didn't grow much or anything. didnt bloom either. I finally re-potted it in and come to find out it had split into three, I seperated them, and they just went absolutely nuts, they grew so incredibly fast and then all of them put up 1 - 2 spikes each, I was thrilled! I'm not saying that you should do what I did, but I'm just saying what I discovered with my little den.... I'm sure a phal expert will come around and give you some advice on what to do!

[digitalgate]

2 years nah nah nah...
i wait for 4 years for this plant to bloom. Assuming there is nothing wrong with your micro climate.

[dounoharm]

if it hasnt been repotted in 2 years, then i suggest repotting in fresh medium....phals like coarse bark that drains really well....i think your watering is ok, as it is growing new leaves and they look good....but the leaves are rather deep green which tells me that it might like a little bit more light....that could be one of the mail issues...repot, give more light, and gl!!

[11Orchid126]

Why is your plant in the dark? Are the blinds closed just for the picture? Phals, even though they're low light plants, do need lots of indirect light.

[celicacutie]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

Why is your plant in the dark? Are the blinds closed just for the picture? Phals, even though they're low light plants, do need lots of indirect light.

The picture was taken around 11 pm at night. Blinds were closed for my privacy

[Bolero]

2 years? Light looks to be the problem then.

[ann]

i have a few orchids and i feed every 2 weeks during summer is this too much and when do you leave off feeding during winter?
also what is the best fertilizer? thanks in anticipation, remember I am in New South Wales

[orchids4me]

What time of year did you buy this Phal. In bloom ? Some Phals bloom winter ,some spring etc. Sometimes they skip a year.
Yours looks like it may be potted in sphag moss that has some algae on it. Phals like to be re potted and just keep in mind pot size is piced by size of its root ball not its leaves. They like a slightly snug fit (if you can fit a couple fingers in between the root ball and edge of pot that's a good fit for a couple years of growth).
I see you said your not fertilizing so it isn't the N in the NPK values in fertilizer to high N (nitrogen) promotes growth of the plant but not booms. Some use a lower nitrogen fert prior to its bloom season to promote blooms. But isn't the case with yours. It may need a bit higher light and has been acclamating to the environment in your home. One thing orchids will teach you..... Patience
Good luck
Emmaye

[pedidiva]

are you having a temp drop--like to 60 or 65 degrees at night?

[pedidiva]

I found the Ortho Orchid books to be very helpful, I am sure there are others that are more in depth.. I especially liked the pictures of pests & environmental issues. perhaps some literature may be helpful?

I'm glad that your other orchid has a bud. Perhaps this one needs more time?

[celicacutie]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

What time of year did you buy this Phal. In bloom ? Some Phals bloom winter ,some spring etc. Sometimes they skip a year.
Yours looks like it may be potted in sphag moss that has some algae on it. Phals like to be re potted and just keep in mind pot size is piced by size of its root ball not its leaves. They like a slightly snug fit (if you can fit a couple fingers in between the root ball and edge of pot that's a good fit for a couple years of growth).
I see you said your not fertilizing so it isn't the N in the NPK values in fertilizer to high N (nitrogen) promotes growth of the plant but not booms. Some use a lower nitrogen fert prior to its bloom season to promote blooms. But isn't the case with yours. It may need a bit higher light and has been acclamating to the environment in your home. One thing orchids will teach you..... Patience
Good luck
Emmaye

I purchased this May 2009 and it was in full bloom. The flowers fell off a few months later (I believe either late June/early July).

There is an orchid greenhouse by my house so I am planning on bringing this one there and have them help re-pot and offer any other insight.

I also made sure to open the blinds fully during the day so hopefully that helps as well.