Gongora galeata- loads of nice new foliage but where are the darn flowers?!!

[daemondamian]

This is my Gongora galeata which has put a lot of new leaves and still has a few leaf shoots going on it.

We're in Autumn here in Australia and I've read that G. galeata blooms in Summer, so it missed flowering

Anyone know why? Not enough ferts/water/light or classical music and fine dining?

I'm just uploading a pic of it now.

[daemondamian]

I don't remember making my words red

[smartie2000]

I'm not sure about the blooming problems, but I think the foliage looks great. You've been taking good care of the plant

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by smartie2000

I'm not sure about the blooming problems, but I think the foliage looks great. You've been taking good care of the plant

Thanks Fren Yep, it has grown really well over the past few warmer months, maybe it will flower out of season.

I have read they should be mounted or baskets because the spikes are pendulous but I thought even with pendulous plants you can grow them in normal pots- the spikes just grow over the side of the pot, unlike say Draculas where the spikes will grown down from the plant and out the bottom and sides

[smartie2000]

Most people grow these types of plants in baskets because spikes can get stuck inside the pot...

I've seen pictures of plants with spikes hanging on the side of the pot. Maybe the nature of the spike of this species crawls over the top of the media before it hangs down, rather than directly send it downwards penetrating the media? I haven't seen any pics of this plant with spikes penetrating the underside of the basket

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by smartie2000

Most people grow these types of plants in baskets because spikes can get stuck inside the pot...

I've seen pictures of plants with spikes hanging on the side of the pot. Maybe the nature of the spike of this species crawls over the top of the media before it hangs down, rather than directly send it downwards penetrating the media? I haven't seen any pics of this plant with spikes penetrating the underside of the basket

Thanks Fren, I hope the flowers crawl over the top of the media as you suggest. It has to be one of the easiest growing orchids I have.. are other gongoras this easy?

[Frdemetr]

Damian, your Gongora looks great, may be this is the problem! Some Gongoras and Stanhopeas (I don't know about galeata) need a clear dry period in the winter to be 'stressed' and then they bloom in spring/summer; in that period they lose leaves in the back pbulbs (I think yours has "to many" healthy leaves...). About the pots, I think there is no problem, often Gongoras flowers crawl over the top of the media as Fren said (in contrast with the great majority Stanhopeas, that spikes directly go downwards penetrating the media, almost allways demanding baskets)

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Frdemetr

Damian, your Gongora looks great, may be this is the problem! Some Gongoras and Stanhopeas (I don't know about galeata) need a clear dry period in the winter to be 'stressed' and then they bloom in spring/summer; in that period they lose leaves in the back pbulbs (I think yours has "to many" healthy leaves...). About the pots, I think there is no problem, often Gongoras flowers crawl over the top of the media as Fren said (in contrast with the great majority Stanhopeas, that spikes directly go downwards penetrating the media, almost allways demanding baskets)

Hi Frederico and thanks You could be right... maybe it needs a little dry time and stressing out.. at any rate if it's a summer bloomer I've got quite a few months to wait

[Gongora]

Hey Damian,
Any chance of a picture of the Bulbs, the leaves look a bit to broard for G.gateata.
Cheers Craig

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Gongora

Hey Damian,
Any chance of a picture of the Bulbs, the leaves look a bit to broard for G.gateata.
Cheers Craig

Sure thing Craig!

It is potted in a mostly bark mix [it has maybe some chc, charcoal, scoria, maybe even perlite from when I chucked a whole bunch of leftovers together- I use simpler mixes nowadays ] but I topped off the pot with sphag in spring because I was concerned about it drying out fast in summer and me having to water alot.