I don't like orchids but people have given me them probably thinking they'll give longer pleasure than a bouquet. The first survived on neglect and ignorance and a north facing window and re-flowered for 3 years. Now I have 4 I try harder and looked up how to care for them.
The first no longer flowers and, of the other 3 which have arrived since, one has produced one flower. I've had words now. Flower buds showing by the end of May or compost heap!
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Cool them right down and see what happens. A big drop in day to night temps is essential to give them a swift kick in the collective butt. A good article on this here. Orchids are generally over watered. I have cut my watering to once a month, making sure bark is dead dry before adding a bit of water. I used to soak the pots in a bucket then drain them off. But on my cold North facing windowsill it all seems like over-kill and a recipe for rot. In Hawaii it might make sense. Round the back of Sainsbury's different measures are needed.
I'm not sure shouting ultimatums or hitting it with a stick will help, though. Believe me, I've tried.
after flowering they need a period of cool, (and a rest) dont feed it, I have about 20 only feed while in flower, they get put somewhere cool, for a couple of months. We have visited McBeans Nursery (Orchid specialist) Barcombe Sussex, they said dont use see through pots, it encourages algi to form, mine have the original clear pots but are all then encased in china ones.
Thanks Nanny Beach that's interesting as everyone's advice so far says take it out the ceramic pot. But mine has seemed quite healthy in its ceramic pot so far but just hasn't flowered for a year or so. I did leave it in a cool place after it's first flower and followed advice to let it rest. When I saw a new shoot over a year ago I thought i was in luck for some flowers that year but sadly nothing happened. Let's hope with all the new advice it will decide to flower this year??
I have given mine a shower - soft water - and taken them out of their pots altho one was in a glass pot and still isn't flowering. They'll be put in the coolest room I have. Only 32 days to flower (or at least form a bud) or else!
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Posts
The first no longer flowers and, of the other 3 which have arrived since, one has produced one flower. I've had words now. Flower buds showing by the end of May or compost heap!
I'm not sure shouting ultimatums or hitting it with a stick will help, though. Believe me, I've tried.