Phrags--when do they bloom?

[Pupka]

Hi guys. Really need your advice. I have one phrag that seems to me to be of a pretty mature size to bloom. And the thing is that it's not going to bloom. Or at least it does not want so. I've been trying to change temperatures and increase light--nothing works. It does, however, produce offsprings. I now think, maybe phrags have some particular time when they bloom? Like in the fall or in the spring? Can they bloom in the summer?

I also heard that some cyps need to go through a dry period (few weeks without water) to initiate blooming. Does that apply to phrags? I can't wait anymore!

[smartie2000]

It does not need to go through a rest period and it does not need to dry out. Do not let it dry out... What type of phrag do you have?

Usually if it is sending new growths then it is getting ready to bloom. A healthy plant will send out a growth or two before spiking. I find that phrags do not tend to be tempermental when it comes to blooming, they do it on their own when they are ready, and much easier than a paph. Some caudatums may need several growths before blooming.

[Pupka]

smartie2000,

thanks, your words are really healing. It is Rosalie Dixler phrag, the one that I was showing the other day here. It gave me two new growths, and it is now outside, with plenty of light. I don't know what else to do to help it to flower; I fertilize it often. Maybe I just have to be a bit more patient.... eh...

[raborchids]

i was told that a phrag needs as much light as phal to flower. i have a longiflorium that has been sending out new growth like crazy since repotting into a bigger pot.
just make sure it is a plast pot no matter what. i have small river rocks in the saucer of all my slipper orchids.
remember what works for me, might not work for u

[Lagoon]

Hi Pupka,

Your phrag has besseae hybird cross. Agreed don't allow this to dry out, no rest period is required. These phrags do like to stay pretty moist, some growers keep these wet.

I don't keep mine wet but real moist in sphag and coarse rok. No sun but bright light, higher then a phal for sure.

Has this bloomed before?
If you already have new leads then perhaps you will see spikes during the summer, if they're mature enough.

[Pupka]

No, the babies are too small to bloom this summer. But the parent itself has never bloomed! That is why I'm asking. I water it pretty frequently. The last leaf has grown only half a way, and now it stopped and does not grow anymore. But no other action is going on. I thought if the last leaf is smaller than others, than it is going to bloom soon? (at least it might be thinking of blooming )

[Lagoon]

Keep the faith - If the older growth hasn't bloomed yet, then she is due.
New growth and a stalling of the older growth is a sign