What if there's no spike?
 

I have "adopted" an orphaned orchid in my office. I have never seen it in bloom. I'm told that it did bloom once, but no one knows what happened after the bloom and why there's no spike. Is there something I can do to encourage it to grow a new spike?

I took some pictures of it to help identify it if that helps at all with your answer. You can go to my Flickr album to see them.

Thanks for your help!

Your plant is a Phalaenopsis (Phal), probably a hybrid; in that case even with flowers is almost impossible a correct identification. But you can grow and enjoy your NOID orchid; good media (I prefer sphagnum for Phals, with a little of carcoal and very good draining material - clay pieces - in bottom fo the pot; Phals grow well in semi-hydroponic method too), good light (not direct sun) and good plant food (I use Peters 0,5g per liter, biweekly) and spikes - some day - will appear!

Your orchid is a phal and it is blooming size. I'm sure that it will reward you with blooms soon. Make sure it gets good light on your windowsill. I think a few hours of direct sun is not harmful on a windowsill.
These guys shouldn't be hard to re-bloom, just be patient :)

BTW welcome to the Orchid Board! ask any other questions you may have:)

:welcome: Aboard Ashley...your phal looks so healthy, the rooting system :nod:. The roots outside the pot is a good sign and there way of being noisy :biggrin: Nahhhh just can't keep it exactly straight as to why, but it's a good thing :nod:

Please take a few minutes and introduce yourself Welcome~Break the Ice" thread. :banana:

Welcome Ashley! Repotting is definately in order, especially if you're not sure how long the plant has been around. I've never had much luck with phals in moss, too much root rot. All of mine are in a coco husk/charcoal/perlite mix. I've also been toying with the idea of trying one in a semi hydro set up. Light is going to be one of the most important variables in getting your plant to re-boom. Sometimes it takes some moving around before you find just the right spot. Be patient it's worth the wait. :)

Welcome to the forum! Hybrid phals bloom very easily. I believe you will see the spike very soon. Good luck with growing!

There are several reasons that a phal might not bloom:

1. Insufficient light (they don't need a lot, so that is rare).
2. Insufficient food.
3. Too much nitrogen in the fertilizer formula.
4. Too warm (phals grow better warm, but require cooler periods to bloom. "Cool" being relative - upper 60's F to mid 70's)

In an office environment, I'd vote in the 2-3 range, unless it has been 5 feet blow overhead fluorescents, making me add 1, as well.