When Do You Decide to Rehome an Orchid?

[Mountaineer370]

Thanks, Philip. I believe I will soon start a new thread to ask for suggestions for other orchids that would grow more easily in my lighting situation, along with my Phals.

As far as the color of the leaves, I would describe my Oncidiums and Cattleya as being a medium green, not real light, but definitely not dark. I've seen plenty of them at greenhouses, and those are usually lighter than mine.

I position the Phals and Paphs the furthest away from the window and behind the others, so they are about two to three feet from the glass and getting a bit more shade off and on as the earth rotates throughout the day. I would describe the color of their leaves as medium, also.

I love growing orchids and always envisioned myself as having several dozen, of many different genera, but I guess it's not meant to be. I do have several other houseplants that have been with me for decades, in some cases, so at least I am enjoying living greenery of some type in my home.

[Dollythehun]

I think a new thread is a good idea. I know I have other orchids that grow and bloom with my phals. If you can move you phals closer to the window it might help. Also, do you have a window sill? If that's a south window, there's probably lots of minis that could bloom there! My phals are in a north facing greenhouse window. It has a smallest and west pane and s clear top. I even have zygos in there that do well. I can't believe your south window isn't better than that!

[plantluvver]

If I felt guilty for killing plants, I would not be able to continue trying to grow them. Rehoming your plants is your personal decision. Only you can decide what your goals are and if you are satisfied with a particular plant. Or perhaps, you keep a plant you are dissatisfied with because you hope to learn something from it.

I have had very negative reactions from some people. But my entire existence depends on killing plants in one way or another. I see no moral difference between tossing out a plant that has stopped blooming and eating a salad.

[Optimist]

I saw immediately at the first part of your post that you are not close enough to the window, and may even need to put them outside. Green paphs, oncidiums, and even cattleyas need much more light than it possible in a normal dining room near a window. I keep mine indoors in the winter, but that is so they stay "alive" and I am sure they are not happy. The only way I can get blooms is near direct sunlight.

What I think you might like to think of is to go to "very low" light orchids (phals are among these). That is about 800 to 1000 fc.

I always tell a story about some iris I bought. Not knowing the difference, I planted them under a tree in the shade. No blooms for many years, and I thought they were infertile or something. Then I read about plants, photosynthesis, lighting and a lot of other growing related things. The next year, I planted them in direct sunlight-- guess what? I got flowers!

So, if they get adequate light so they do not die, they will "stay alive." If they get the optimum light for health and blooming, then they will have flowers.

[Mountaineer370]

Plantluvver, I welcome all opinions. You correctly point out that we kill plants every day to survive. I do have a few houseplants that have sentimental value to me because of who gave them to me or how long I've had them, but your viewpoint helps me feel less guilty if I decide some of the orchids have to go.

Optimist, the window measures 42 inches tall by 64 inches wide. I have a lower tier of curtains, very loosely woven lacy things, and I usually push those open all the way in the daytime. There are no buildings or trees to impede the light coming in save for one tall but sparse pine that wouldn't block anything until very late afternoon.

If a foot or so away from such a window is not enough light, then I really do have some serious thinking to do. I'm a little confused about whether that is even enough light for my Phals.

One other thing I just thought of is that there is a garage outside that has a bright security light that comes on at dusk and stays on all night. It's roughly 20 feet from the window in question. I've wondered if having that shining in all night is not giving the plants enough darkness at night.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

One other thing I just thought of is that there is a garage outside that has a bright security light that comes on at dusk and stays on all night. It's roughly 20 feet from the window in question. I've wondered if having that shining in all night is not giving the plants enough darkness at night.

That security light might indeed have a negative effect on blooming. Maybe try a dark curtain that can be deployed at night. Some plants are fussier than others about photoperiod -some Catts are very picky. Don't know about Phals. But if you can't easily add light by day, try subtracting it at night. (or both)

[Orchid Whisperer]

The original question "When Do You Decide to Rehome an Orchid?" Is an interesting one.

There are several triggers that might make me decide to trade, gift, etc. a plant to someone else (no particular order):

• l find that the plant just does not interest me anymore, but might interest someone else.

• I decide that I can't adapt my growing conditions to properly grow dddßAthe plant and bring it to bloom

• I end up with multiples of a plant, with no good reason to keep all the extras. Usually 1 is enough

• I find an opportunity to donate a good plant to a good cause (over the last couple years, several of my plants ended up in a charity silent auction at work)

• I can give away a good NOID or tagged plant to a beginner, or as a door prize at a meeting

• I deliberately have limited growing space indoors, so giving a plant to a new home helps me preserve space.

There are probably other triggers, but those are the leaders.

[Reeses]

Cherri, I live in Ohio and go to school in Indiana. I too was struggling with blooming, until I put my plants outside over the summer. I had to use some shade cloth I got off amazon, but the extra light just for those few months gave them a boost, and all four of my phals bloomed. You might try that, as long as outdoor temps are above 60 at night.

[Mountaineer370]

I appreciate all of the replies and suggestions. I'm somebody who is very reluctant to put my orchids outside. Other houseplants that are potted in soil, yes, but the orchids being potted in such loose and airy material, I'm afraid any number of bugs and pests will take up residence down in there and come inside when I bring the plants in.

Carol had asked about putting minis in the windowsill. The horizontal surface of the sill is only two inches wide, and then the solid wood frame extends up three and a half inches above it before the glass starts. Even if I could find something small enough to fit there without being knocked off, it would be the equivalent of being next to a tall wooden privacy fence, lightwise.

Thanks for all of the advice and insights. Many of the parameters here are just not changeable. Unfortunately, I think I know what I have to do.

[AnonYMouse]

Do you not have another window? To put a console table against? Or some other piece of furniture?

I have a tension rod on a small window that I hang mini mounted plants off of. A proper curtain should hold a few 3" pots on hangers, maybe even a shelf (if you are handy, think wood plank swing seats).

ETA: Depending on light exposure (intensity and duration) you might have to find more suitable genera and invest in a privacy window film.