Blooming Complex orchids

[tperry]

Just read an article that complex orchids are difficult to bloom. Says they need a cool temp plus a night time drop to 55 to bloom.

When I bought them, the breeder said they are easy to grow and bloom.

Have them at my office where its never over 74.

On humidity trays with a grow light on them.

I live in Phoenix AZ - they would never last in my home which I knew.

No, I don't have a green house. Have a mini greenhouse in my home, but all high temp orchids (Vangard etc) which bloom twice a year.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

[slipperfreak]

Are you talking about complex Paphs? If so yes they do need cool nighttime temps in fall to bloom. A great way to do this is to put them outside in shade, and bring them back in before frosts. They are also quite slow growing, so be patient waiting for blooms.

[Phantasm]

I don't find these difficult to grow or bloom in my situation. The hybrids are based mostly on Paph insigne, villosum, spiceranum, etc which grow on the cool side of intermediate temperatures. They handle normal summer temperatures without any problem but prefer the cooler fall and spring temperatures for vigorous growth. Mine are all growing like crazy right now, and blooms will be not too far behind in late fall/early winter for most.

[NYCorchidman]

Seattle will be nearly ideal for complex paphs and come other cool growing orchids, hence, you don't find them difficult to grow.