I’ve had this orchid for a year. It was gifted to me when it had flowers. They promptly fell off and since then it has not rebloomed. It just keeps growing leaf after leaf. The growths on the top of the stem have stayed the same for the past year. I live in a Middle Eastern country. I keep it in sphagnum moss, sitting on the kitchen (tinted) window where it gets direct sun from about 3 pm to 6 pm. The temperature in the kitchen is a stable 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit). I water it about once a week when the moss is dry, and the roots look decent (I didn’t dig deep though).
I really want to see it flower again, it was so beautiful. I was wondering whether I should consistently take it to the air conditioned room every night (it gets to 21C/69F) so that it gets some temperature variation. Please advise me wise orchid people!
by pseudohyperkalemia
4 Comments
Leave it in one spot, in good light, no scorching (after)noon sun. Patience and bathing her only when the roots dry out. And she will definitely rebloom.
It probably is the temperature. They want to bloom below 23C, and the hotter it is above that the more reluctant they are. The air conditioning should help, and it will be even better if you can keep it in there day and night for a couple of weeks (if light conditions allow). Looks very healthy, though!
Leaf growth is a sign of healthy plant, and it seems like they grow to full size also meaning it’s happy!
In order to rebloom they need sufficient light, water and nutrients. And you are right, a temp drop can trigger rebloom. The difference should be around 10º and not below 15ºC. Sometimes it’s sufficient if it’s sitting in a window sill and you can open the window during the night. I’d say give it a go with cooler room during the night. Also, if you don’t fertilize, I’d recommend fertilizing weakly weekly. I believe there are some fertilizers that are specifically made for blooming but I’m not able to point you any further than that …
Good luck 🌱
>FLOWER INDUCTION BY NIGHTTIME CHILLING. Many orchids require a significant day–night temperature difference to induce flowering. Winter blooming *Phalaenopsis* require a 15 F (8.3 C) drop in nighttime temperature for two or three weeks to initiate their flower spikes. Cymbidiums and dendrobiums can require an even larger temperature difference. *Dendrobium crumenatum* is an interesting species that opens all its blooms simultaneously eight or nine days after a thunderstorm; some believe this is a result of the cooling effect of the evaporation of rainwater.
[https://www.aos.org/orchids/articles/why-orchids-need-a-drop-in-nighttime-temperature](https://www.aos.org/orchids/articles/why-orchids-need-a-drop-in-nighttime-temperature)