Question
Jim,

I have just found your site and have read some of your answers which are very useful to me.
I have several orchids, most of them are cattleya which are about 1 year old. I also have a couple of PHALAENOPSIS which are great looking, a mini-oncidium and a cymbidium.

Here are my questions,

(1) Cymbidium - I bought this plant at Costco here in Orlando, it was in full bloom. I cut the spike off at the bottom once the flower died off; it has not grown another spike although the plant looks great and it has grown several new leaves. How can I get it to grow a spike? I keep it inside the house for the most part, I do have a fan running at all times. I water once per week and fertilize every other time using Schultz Expert Gardener - Orchid Food - 19-31-17.
(2) Mini-Oncidium - I received this as a valentine's present, it was in full bloom; the flowers died off after 2-3 weeks. I have NOT cut off the spikes nor am I planning to do so. I water once per week and fertilize every other time using Schultz Expert Gardener - Orchid Food - 19-31-17. How can I get it to bloom once again? should I cut the spikes off?
(3) Phalaenopsis - I bought a yellow and a bright purple phal in full bloom, they have several flowers (15-20). I water once per week and fertilize every other time using Schultz Expert Gardener - Orchid Food - 19-31-17. I have been keeping these in my shower room (I have a big show room) since I was advised by the seller that they love the mist generated from the steam coming off the shower. What are your thoughts? I am not planning to cut the spikes off unless they turn brown as you stated in other postings.
(4) Cattleya - I won these at an auction in Ebay, they were babies at the time, they have managed to make it through the winter and I am hopeful they continue growing. I water once per week and fertilize every other time using Schultz Expert Gardener - Orchid Food - 19-31-17. I would like to know if I can do to accelerate its growth, I keep them outside, in my patio where they get plenty of ventilation and not direct sun.

Overall, I would like to know if the 19-31-17 fertilizer is OK for my orchids, that's what my other friends use and they seem to have good luck with it. I have also heard from an orchid seller that I should be using 20-20-20, but can't find that at my local HomeDepot, Lowes.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, I do appreciate them!
Angelo
[email protected]

Answer
Hello Angelo,

Actually, this is not my web site, I'm only a volunteer answering questions.  Hopefully I'll be able to answer yours.  Living in Orlando, Fl. you live in some prime orchid growing country.  

1) Cymbidiums usually produce blooms once a year although there are a few that can bloom more than once per year.  For all cymbidiums, it is best to remove the spike once the flowers are gone as they will not make new flowers.  Also, cymbidiums should be grown outdoors as much as possible, there in Orlando probably under 50% to 60% full sunlight, they can stay outdoors until night temperatures drop under 45F which does occur occasionally there.  

2) Mini-oncidiums produce flowers only once on a spike so you can go ahead and remove them.  You can grow it outdoors but under 70% shade with several hours of early morning full sunlight.  Bring it in when night temperatures dip below 50F.  

3) Phalaenopsis do benefit from high humidity which they get in the bathroom.  They also need some light air movement, if you go in and out of the bathroom several times a day, that may be enough to keep it happy.  If the tip of the spike starts to die, I'd go ahead and cut the spike off.  

4) Are these miniature or large cattleyas?  Miniatures grow less than 6 inches tall while large ones can be well over 2 feet tall when mature.  The tall ones require sunlight similar to cymbidiums, while the miniatures prefer the oncidium light level.  For both, bring them indoors when night temps go below 50F.  

Yes, it would be better to feed all of your orchids a 20-20-20 orchid fertilizer.  I am surprised HD or Lowe's doesn't carry it.  Next time, see if you can find one with the NPK numbers a bit closer to each other.  

Hope this was of some help.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.