[sunshineband]

Just want to pass on our increased success in getting orchids to re-bloom.


This time last year I started using a very dilute liquid feed sprayed onto the leaves every couple of weeks. The three phalaenopsis that now have fresh looking healthy flower spikes developing, two miniatures ones have not stopped flowering since last Christmas, and a cymbidium cutting given to me by my father several years ago, which has been determined not to flower, now has two spikes of fat buds.

The feed is marketed by Lortex as Orchid Growth formula, and I just dilute it and use it in a small hand spray. You can buy it ready mixed, but this works out a little dearer. There is also a Flowering formula for use once buds have formed, but I have not used that yet. I shall now, to see if it helps the flowers last even longer

This is the cymbidium, which as you can see is looking quite good. (It does not usually live in the porch window: it is just there for the winter as it stays quite cool)

[devonbarmygardener]

Orchids are funny old plants - I love them
Mine thrive on being in a place they like (upstairs toilet window - full Sun afternoon - and the windowledge by the front door - full Sun until lunchtime) .
I also ignore them a lot - I trim the old stems off only when new ones start sprouting; I soak them well as summer starts, occasional watering as needed after; proprietary feed bottles popped into the pots in Sept until December - then an occasional flowering feed.
Mine are all phaleanopsis incidently.
I did grow dendrobiums for a while but they have since departed!

[wil4025]

Ive found to sit the clear pot onto stones with water in it and im now getting a new spike.  You need to do the same as they live in the rain forest.

[spottymint]

They do like humidity, as they grow on trees with theirs roots exposed to moisture in the air.

Mine lives on the shower room window, he's thriving and about to re flower as we speak.

When I water him, I soak the whole plant, leaves and all. 

[sunshineband]

As long as water does not collect in the centre where the leaves join (phaelanopsis) they will relish a dunking, as then the fat grey aerial roots can absorb water too.

I had one on top of our old telly for years, and these roots grew about 40-50 cm long. It stood with its clear pot inside a large cache pot made of unglazed pottery. When I went to move it, the roots had adhered to the outside of the pot 

That must be how they attach themselves when they are growing in the rainforests