blooming or not blooming...that is the question

[Louise]

A new blog entry has been added:

blooming or not blooming...that is the question

I just realised that lately I almost never bought an orchid in bloom...
there was that Valpota's night the other day (but it was bloom ending) and then...last february when I bought a "baggie" pink chinese cymbidium. In between, I had other orchids...of course...but not blooming ones.

[Brenda Aarts]

Loved your comments, particularly the months surrounded by lettuce comment, I can relate. I must admit that I normally purchase plants when blooming (however am still pretty new to this crazy hobby/addiction....whatever - 3 years or so). My last spending spree however I purchased a total of 35 orchids (yikes) of which only 2 were blooming, the rest were mainly cat. seedlings.

[Louise]

Hello Brenda

35 orchids in one day!!! I never did that! Usually when I order through the web or go to a nursery I buy betwen 2 and 5 orchids...I have a small place so it's alway difficult to add more...but one always find a place for another orchids and it's incredible how we all begin to be creative when trying to gain space for our lovely ones

[Brenda Aarts]

It was a scary/exciting day for sure. Went to huge greenhouse with orchids only, it was amazing. As I said about 25 were cat seedlings, so not much room required as YET!!!! I had just moved most of my plants outside, so felt like I had lots of room...guess we'll see when I have to bring them all in this fall!! I normally am a little more disciplined than that. Husband was not too impressed, had to sing happy birthday to myself several times!

[Louise]

Yes, It's always "Panic time" when winter comes (even autumn over here) and I have to put back indoors the orchids...that's when I have the sudden feeling they have expanded. During summer I am alway tempted to buy some because i have the feeling there is room left...
Seedlings are small but get bigger (hopefully!) so as young ones that don't take much space for a year or two but then they become huge! Often the case with cattleyas hybrids! and I just love cattleyas and laelias! Poor me, I wish i'd like miniatures

[mimigirl]

Well, i am about to throw in the towel! Most of the ones I buy are in bloom, some are not. One Phal rebloomes 3 or 4 years in a row without fail. Then suddenly died a mysterious death. Same for a paph, 2 yrs then nothing. If I go to web sites for each variety, about 15, I get different info from them on each variety. At the shows, they tell me more light, less light, shade since orchids grow in tops of trees, more fertilizer, different fert., and one person said he got dramatic results from watering with coffee, which is the only thing I have not tried. I am thinking of giving up & letting my friends have them. One friend gave up on hers and gave it to me!!!!!

[Louise]

Mimigirl : patience is the key
Maybe also following your instinct when growing your orchids. I think the more you observe them the most you became "close" and understand their needs. Part of their needs is due to where they come from(country, wether conditions etc...)but also of the conditions of where you grow them. Ithink it has to adapt to your place and also you have to adaptate to its needs...Saying more or less water for instance is very abstract : depends on the medium, if you grow them outdoors or indoors, under natural or artificial light, the size of the pot and so on
don't give up! They are so beautyful !