Question
Orchids
I have recently fallen absolutely in love with orchids. I have collected 10 plants over the last month. I have read extensively about their care. All but 1 are Phals. Some are the big box just add ice variety, some are local organic growers who supply upscale markets. A few buds on certain plants are turning yellow and wilting before bloom. I attribute that to bud blast and am trying to not let it bother me. I am very concerned however that the flowers that bloom here in my home are signifgantly smaller and slow to bloom. The edges turn in a bit. One or 2 even have a crispness/very small black areas to the petals edge. The back center petal folds a bit backwards. This seems to be the case on nearly every plant. The majority of them are in orchid potting material with sphag moss on top supported by bamboo and raffiki ties. The pots are clay w/ plastic liners/drainage holes. I water 1x every 7-10 days only when almost dry, by removing plastic liner and running tepid tap water through for about 20 seconds-let drain-then return to clay pot. The pots sit on a table on a gravel bed w/ baking trays underneath with a very slight layer of water in hopes of creating humidity. I mist the bottom of potting area very lightly, daily. Roots are green and firm to gray if not recently watered.Temperature is approx 75fmax to 60fmin. Light is 2 plant lightbulbs in standard fixtures one on each side of the table facing the plants 1-2 feet away left on for 12 hours daily. One plant lightbulb has a blue coating, the other does not. This was my error at the store I did not notice the difference. Is there a preference? Leaves are medium green. (Except the oncidium who seems to be lighter with a few darker spots and one leave that seems to be dried around the most mature flower spike)
I desperately want to maintain my new hobby and provide a happy home for my little indoor orchid garden. I want to do everything possible to prevent bud loss and encourage full uniform flowers. I want to enjoy them again next year too! I know this is one monster of a question, but I appreciate your expert advice more than I could ever express. I have attached a picture of the whole crew, but I can provide more individual pictures of flowers that cause me particular concern if need be. I want them ALL to Bloom! But..If they can not.. I want the ones that do bloom to be big as they can be and healthy. Thank you again for your help.
AnswerAthena, first, know that the flowers brought to market are undoubtedly greenhouse raised where the lighting is brighter, air movement is stronger and temperature are highly controlled. It is difficult for a hobbyist to simulate these conditions-- especially without a greenhouse. I recommend that you use two 2 bulb shop fixtures with four cool white or mixture of cool white and warm white florescent bulbs. If you prefer, you can use growlight florescent bulbs instead but they will cost 3-5 times more. You will get better growth by increasing daylength to 15-16 hours. Even more light would be provided by a 400 watt sodium vapor light and fixture. if you use the florescent bulbs you can grow the plants close to the light but if you use the sodium vapor lamp, due to the heat, they will have to be grown at least 12-18 inches from the bulb. Size of both plant and flowers are contingent upon the amount of light they receive-- up to a point. Try to increase air movement by the use of a small fan.
Bud loss (as well as flower death) can be expected when plants in bud and flower are moved from one environment to another. Once these plants adjust to your growing conditions, things should normalize. When they finish flowering, you should repot each plant in a fir-bark based orchid potting mix. Be sure to wet the mix thoroughly prior to use. Rinse off the roots prior to repotting and remove any mushy roots as they are experiencing root rot.
If I miss anything or my answer raises more questions, please fell free to ask a followup question.
