Orchids I Love, but can't Bloom . . . - Orchid Board

NeoNJ · #1 03-19-2011, 01:27 PM

There are certain orchids I don't much care for, and those that I love, have tried to grow and bloom, but have failed miserably with.

I love Paphiopedilums, but have been unsuccessful getting them to bloom. I thought they would be Easy
since they are "LOW LIGHT" Orchids, but I found them
very Slow growers that didn't bloom for me.

So, I am now certain that LIGHT, and HIGH LIGHT is what will bloom orchids - even the so-called "Low Light" orchids.

Has anyone else failed at growing a particular orchid because of providing too little light ?

billc · #2 03-19-2011, 02:24 PM

Hi Neo, What do you consider 'low light' and 'high light'. Also what Paphs are you referring to?
I have several strap leaf multi florals that grow on a east/ southeast windowsill in winter and outside hanging in trees in summer and they pretty much bloom every other year. I also have some that grow under T5 lights in winter and outside in summer that do the same.
I know several other folks here in the Northeast that grow indoors and blooms every other year seem to be the norm.
Paphs are not the quickest plants in my experience, but the blooms are certainly worth the wait.
Also, light is only 1 part of culture. Air movement and water quality are also important, along with a free draining mix.

Bill

NeoNJ · #3 03-19-2011, 02:52 PM

500-1500 fc of light is Low Light. I grew many of the Multifloral's, and had to wait 4-years+ for Paph Berenice to bloom. I now grow most of my Orchids all in a Southeast Windowsill with Supplemental lighting and have 5000fc of light on most days. Perhaps I should try Paphs again, but I'm to impatient to wait years for the blooms. I quess I could always buy them IN BUD or SPIKE.

silken · #4 03-19-2011, 04:17 PM

I grow my paphs in more light than I consider low light. I am always surprised they don't sunburn or turn pale green, so they must like it. I haven't measured the light so not sure what it is exactly, but for example under two 4 ft T5 HO lights where cattleyas grow and bloom as well. Granted the paphs are much shorter and further from the light. I have also found rain water to make a big difference over tap water for them and re-potting every year as they seem to hate old stuff. I haven't bloomed lots, but have had a few. Right now I have a Deperle with 3 buds that will bloom for a first time since getting it two years ago and I can't wait. I find the flowers usually last pretty long on the ones I have so maybe that compensates for the slow growth and long time to bloom.

NeoNJ · #5 03-19-2011, 05:30 PM

Two items that are a permanent part of my orchid growing area are a LIGHT METER and a HYGROMETER. I can't imagine anyone growing orchids without these two pieces of equipment, because it really IS necessary to know how much LIGHT you are providing your orchids, and the TEMP and HUMIDITY levels in your growing area as well.

When I was growing Paphs, I did not have supplemental lighting, and I don't think they were getting enough Hours of light per day. The light they were getting was very high late afternoon sun which probably was not the best quality of light for them at the time.

I keep looking for a nice Paph (in bud of course) to buy, since I really do miss having one around .

silken · #6 03-19-2011, 05:37 PM

Sounds like it is time to try Paphs again then! I just bought myself a light meter last week, but haven't checked everything yet.