Orchid won't flower + other stuff

[caleb69]

Hi guys, wow my first post!

Ok well I got this Phalaenopsis orchid about a year ago and it flowered for absolutley ages. Eventually though, all the flowers died; we didn't cut but either of the 2 flower stems and they both just died.

Then a while back 3 "things" started growing out of the centre of the plant. We thought they were new flower stems at first but then we realised they look more like roots. But they grew upwards rather than down into the soil so what are they?

Also does anyone have any tips on how to get it to flower again? I've read about giving them extra sunlight but this one is in a fairly bright location already. Also could you rate the condition of it from what you can see? I think it looks pretty good apart from the dying leaf in the bottom right.

Cheers

[janet_a]

those aren't weird things, those are big fat beautiful aerial roots. happy plant.

it looks like it seriously needs repotting though; the roots on the bottom and under the medium are starting to rot a bit, so the plant is growing new ones.

someone once posted a pic on a.b.p.o. of a phal with aerial roots that looked like spaghetti. very cool.

somewhere on here no doubt is advice on repotting; if not, see:

http://firstrays.com/potting.htm

oh, flowering: phals will usually flower once a year; they also usually require a cold snap to get them started. it's possible you won't get another spike until dec-january.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You can start a spike any time you want for most
Phals, they do it in the nurseries all the time to get plants in bloom all year. First, the plant must not have used up its energy by having bloomed recently. Second, you need to make the plant think it is winter, cooler weather (55F?), and shorter days (can't have the lights on till 10pm every night). Maybe a little stress helps, like watering a little less often, any way, this is what I am told by commercial growers. I think you need to create this false weather pattern for at least 3 weeks. Your plant almost looks like it has some Vandopsis parishii in it, sometime called Phalaenopsis parishii, and who knows what this would do to your plants blooming pattern. Good luck, Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[Orchid_lady]

Hi Caleb, My phal is doing the same thing growing aerial roots in between the leaves. Also a new leaf seems to be coming up.

[jerrymeola]

your plant looks extremely healty for being in your home a year. Most hobbist will have at least a couple of the old leaves dying off. The aerial roots you have are common in potted plants.

I am not opposed to repotting this orchid but I find hobbist too quick to repot. A plant that is doing well can be left until it is so big it can not remain in the pot or the medium is completely deteriorated. Yours may well go another year before a need to repot. The medium was probably fresh when you got it. In general repotting has a tendancy to slow flowering but not as seriously with Phalaenopsis. I usually repot phals when they keep falling out of my pots.

Phals as mentioned before need a temperature drop to initiate flowering. 75 degree days with 50 degree nights for about a month is perfect. Depending on where you live you can chose the month most appropriate and place it outdoors sheltered for that month. Commercial growers can flower in any month by heating the plant in its normal cold cycle and cooling it to initiate budding. Cooling it to get 20 degree temperature swings in a home or garden is not easy, but you can try.

You might be able to place it outside now. Here in SW Florida last month's temperature set buds on many of my phals as temps fluctuated from 35-85.

The plant will probably not be ready to flower unless it has been without flowers for 6-9 months.

Increasing light levels works for many other orchids but phals like low light.

This is because the naturally grow with the roots up and the plant and flowers down.



The aerial roots in this photo were on the plant before it was mounted. In the past year there have been no new roots growing down since the plant is gentically engineered for the roots to grow up. That is where it expects to find a branch.

The top of the leaf when mounted this way is not light sensitive while the top of the leaf in a pot is extra sensitive since normally it only gets bounced light.

This plant grows outside and put out two flower stems this month.

You are doing something right with the quality of this plant. It only flowers once a year so be patient.

Pick and chose between all the good advice on this thread and do what feels best for you.

[ann]

I have one of these as well, being in Newcastle Australia I have it in t he bathroom north facing but no flowers for over 1 year, it is in mug type jar bought that way, and I am wondering should I put it in a pot or try it on some bark?

[fred]

welcome to the forum caleb69
could you please go into your UserCP at the top left of the page and Update your Profile with your Location as that will help us to understand your growing conditions as we have members from all over the world with different growing conditions.
also with giving you the right advice.

ann.. could you please update your Profile as well
thank you

[tizzycat]

Caleb, you have aready got a wealth of advice here. I just wanted to comment on the lovely healthy condition of your plant. Don't worry about the bottom leaf, it's not at all unusual to lose the occasional leaf.

Keep up the good work.