Claude and Joanna have hit most of the variables, but another is the
maturity of the plant.

The first time a particular plant blooms. it may only last a few
weeks, but as it matures (and the variables they mentioned are handled
properly) that can get longer and longer. My personal record was
about 9.5 months for a white with red spotting (I don't recall the
hybrid. It was lost to my "big freeze."), but when I got the plant
about 4 years prior, it bloomed for about 6 weeks.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
..
"J Fortuna" wrote in message
news:YE4Ed.3817$hc7.1006@trnddc08...
Casey,

I have found, as a rough rule of thumb, that if I expect 2 months of
blooming from a Phal, I am rarely disappointed and often pleasantly
surprised. There are some Phals that are in bloom 6 months or more,
and
sometimes the same plant will bloom much longer one blooming season
than the
previous one.

It also depends on cultural conditions. For example, I read in the
OrchidSafari archives an interesting article recently, that keeping
the
orchid in somewhat cooler conditions usually prolongs flower life,
since
orchids have evolved to accommodate the fact that during somewhat
colder
days there are fewer pollinators around. I assume that this could
mean that
the same plant might bloom longer in a house of someone who keeps
their
temperature at 65 degrees Fahrenheit then someone whose house is at
80
Fahrenheit? I don't know for sure though, just read the article
recently,
and I may have misunderstood.

Also don't keep the blooming orchid near a bowl of fruit. The
ethylene gas
emitted by the ripening fruit will cause the flowers to wilt faster.

Best,
Joanna

"Casey Wilson" N2310D @ gmail.com wrote in message
news:6y1Ed.1223$C.1055@trnddc05...
How long should the blooms last on a phalaenopsis, presuming it
is
healthy and correctly maintained?