Are most of your orchids winter bloomers?

[Kev]

I must admit, that is one of the criteria I use when selecting a new plant. Since I have to grow my plants indoors from late October – April or so, I want the flowers to come during those months. When my plants are outside for the warm months, I really don’t spend that much time with them. I take a vacation from them. They take a vacation from me. That arrangement works very well for both of us. During the outdoors months, I also have a garden dong its thing. That occupies my time and energy. I have a few summer blooming orchids, but not many.

I have passed on certain orchids for this reason, but since there are so many thousands to choose from I don’t think I’ve shortchanged myself. It seems like everyday I check the plants now there is something else showing buds, or almost showing buds or almost blooming or even a few things in full bloom. The winter and early spring months are going to be very, very colorful at my house.

How about you? Is bloom time important to you?

Kev

[jerrymeola]

I think for most of use in the south we try to have blooms all year round. After all outdoor growing is a 12 month event.

I have a commercial nursery so I am only counting the orchids I grow for my personal collection. I have been going more to continuous blooming orchids and those that have flowers 6 months or more a year.

Most of my orchids bloom from 2-6 times a year each. And I add orchids that have unusual flowers or growing habits that interset me.

[Claire]

This is the main reason I keep Phals around. I know they will bloom in winter if nothing else does. So yes, I have mainly winter bloomers now that I look at it.

(Ha! I have winter 'bloomers'. )

[Gin]

Ditto to Claire's post . No, I don't select others because of bloom season , altho I do prefer winter bloomers . In the summer I don't pay as much attention to them ,other things to do , l have a lot of outside plants to keep me busy .
Nothing like a big floofy smelly Catt. to brighten up the winter gloom Gin

[Kev]

Originally Posted by Claire

This is the main reason I keep Phals around. I know they will bloom in winter if nothing else does. So yes, I have mainly winter bloomers now that I look at it.

(Ha! I have winter 'bloomers'. )

Claire

When I had Phals, that's the main reason I kept them around. They are dependable in that respect.

So, are you going to post a pic of those "winter bloomers"?

[Claire]

I wonder if this will work.

[Kev]

Porn, I say PORN!!




Cute

[Lagoon]

LOL well Kev you did ask

I'm still pretty new to orchids, still learning the time frames what blooms and when. Looks like i have alot of summer time blooming babies. Altho' i do have a few Dends that are ending their flower cycle. And i have NO idea when mini catts bloom.
It would be wonderful if anyone could name off a few different orchids. I would fine this very helpful, i'm sure others would too.

Regards,
Gloria

some of my reliable bloomers, some twice a year include oncs srarry baby varities, colm. wildcat varieties, mottled paphs, and of course phals. all hybrids. for beginners the care factor is usually easier with hybrids.

[orchidaddict789]

I try to even it out so I have some blooming during winter and some blooming during the winter months. So I'll always have something to look at year round . (I tend to need more winter bloomers because the cold season always seem so long!)

[Rita-mo]

The majority of mine bloom in the winter, when I can get them to bloom that is, the winters here in Mo. can be pretty dreary, so the orchids brighten my days.

[Sallyd]

That picture was so.... corny, but cute. That is a good point. I think that is why I have so many paphs, phrags, phals. and winter growers. I am much more into orchids in the winter. I am into roses in the summer.

[hulalanii]

Hi everyone this is my first time here. I have a fair amount of orchids. Starting to have luck, but there is always problems. I'm not killing them to much anymore. I grow them in a greenhouse, here in Oregon City, Oregon. I have Phals, Dens, Onc, Phaphs and Catts. My favorite is my Catt called Trick or Treat, it's a beauty. I bought it inHawaii on my 25 th anniversary. That was nearly 7 years ago. Never bloomed until this fall, now it has 3 spikes begining to show. I'm going to really show it off. Mostly I have Phals. my mom buys for her house when then done blooming she gives them to me, I finally got her to leave the labels in the pots so alot of them I don't what they are. Most of my orchids bloom all year. Right now I have 17 spiking. I also have a Phaph that is planted in the ground under one of my benches. It's about to open. Pixs comming soon as I figure out to do that.

[nerrym]

I have mostly winter bloomers since here in NYZone 5, it keeps me happy and gives me something to look forward to in this ugly, dreary time of Winter. Phals are blooming nicely, 1 den about to bloom and the rest are not blooming: 1 paph, 2 catts and the rest intergenerics. I will continue to invest in Phals since they bloom in Winter and the flowers last 2 months.

[Michael]

Kev, am new to orchids. When you grow your orchids outside how do you maintain a 40+ humidity level on your orchids?

Mike

[Kev]

Mike,

Our summers are very humid, so that is never a problem. I'm even blessed (I think) with high humidity inside during the winter months. I don't run a humidifier and it still stays in the 50% range.

Kevin

[shalene]

Mine are mostly winter bloomers also but I try to get some that bloom in the summer so I have something to bring back into the house. No problem here with humidity outside either. It is like soup in the summer in MO.