Spike question on Renanthera Tom Thumb

[susiep]

Susanne, I am having the same problem with my Renanthera. I bought it from Martin Motes in Homestead about 3-4 years ago. I have cut it back on the bottom twice over the years, because it gets so difficult to manage! It would be about 5-6 ft high by now. Still no blooms! I took it back down there to show him and he said it wasn't getting enough sun. He could tell because the leaves were too dark. (I thought they looked good) He grows his in the ground and has about 100 of them in this huge bed growing like weeds (all blooming)! Go on his web site and look at them. I moved it into the full south Florida sun and it didn't die, the leaves got lighter, but still no bloom spike. Is there such things as sterile plants that never bloom?

[sarahrm]

Just wondering for those who weren't getting blooms, have you gotten blooms since this topic came up?

I just got a Ren. Tom Thumb today, it's about 6 inches tall, not evidence of previous blooms yet.

Thanks.

[susiep]

No, still no blooms for me. I have moved it under a shady palm and let it's roots start growing into the dirt. I think it wants to be a yard plant (doesn't like the snobby orchids in the shade house).

[Swamper]

It must be huge, anyone have pics?

[Leisurely]

My Renanthera Tom Thumb bloomed beautifully last year on a 6" plant. The spike was three times the length of the plant but to date there is no sign of spiking again. Last year was a little different though because it was grown in Hawaii and I did not receive it until the first of February.

Susanne, has your plant re-bloomed?

[peeweelovesbooks]

I have an Anne Black. Bought it in March of this year and it's now blooming again.


I bought one from Martin Motes this year (a Bartholomew Motes) @ Fairchild orchid show. It had blooms when I bought it, and it bloomed again for me.

I also bought a Nancy Chandler and it produced a spike right after I bought it.

Let's see. I grow mine if full sun and water them daily. I also fertilize constantly. They have grown a lot since I bought them.

I know the imschootiana grows in cooler conditions than other renantheras.

I can't think of anything else that I do.

Good luck and I'm thinking of buying a phillipinensis and a tom thumb.

[cb977]

Still nothing here...I think it's a test of my perseverance!

[sarahrm]

Yikes, those Tom Thumbs must be hard to flower! I guess I'll just let it settle in an see what mine will do.