Help with Sharry Baby please!

[jjgraphix]

I have a Sharry Baby orchid that I have had for a little over a year. The plant is definitely growing in size, and has been repotted several months ago. However, other than when it was first purchased from an orchid grower over a year ago, there are no signs of new spikes. A couple weeks ago we placed it in more direct sunlight hoping this might encourage it more to bloom. We water it twice a week and fertilize once a week. Are we on the right track with this? I am not worried about the plant, it looks extremely happy, just wondering why we aren't seening anymore spikes??

[mayres]

You are on the right track - MORE LIGHT. How much are you giving it now?

[jjgraphix]

It was on my kitchen counter, about 2 feet away from an east window. Now it is in the same room, but directly in front of a south window. Sound good? Also, I know that many Sharry Babies are in bloom right now - will my orchid miss its normal blooming cycle this year, or will it just produce a spike once it gets enough light?

[mayres]

That will depend upon how close it was to getting enough light earlier. It could probably take all an east window could give - right up near the window - as long as there was a little air movement to cool the leaves as noon approached. This time of year (depending upon where you live) lots of medium or high light plants can take most of what a south window will provide - certainly where I live in the pacific northwest. Just keep an eye on it when you have full sun and make certain it doesn't get too hot (the rays of the sun can be intensifed as they pour through a glass window) - into the mid to late spring and summer it would probably need to be moved back a few feet. I would think with increased light you still could have a chance for it to spike - most of these plants certainly teach us perserverance and patience. :-) Enjoy - mike

[jerrymeola]

Actually my Sherry Baby have finished blooming months ago. I had a lot in spike in November, but do not expect to see flowers again till late summer.

I would look for a cool shady spot outside this summer and let nature take its course.