David E. Ross TonyB wrote:
Cereus-validus-........... wrote:
They don't even have pseudobulbs either!!!!!!!


"David E. Ross" wrote in message
.. .

TonyB wrote:

A couple of months ago I was elated over seeing my first sight of a
bulb about to open. It did and lasted almost 7 weeks. In the
meantime another bulb was slowly emerging and I mean slowly. I
clipped off the shrinking flower. My question is that I've seen many
bulbs on a plant like this, but mine merely shows one at a time.
Right now, with the latest bulb about maturing, I don't see any
signs of another coming. Am i doing something wrong?

Are you talking about a Phalaenopsis orchid? If so, they don't have
bulbs.

--

David E. Ross
http://www.rossde.com/

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Well shoot me...as you can tell that I am a novice orchid grower...but i
think you get what I'm talking about if you guessed right that it is a
Phalaenopsis orchid ) moth orchid variety. Just what is it called that
comes out of that spike...that is if you call it a spike.

I merely asked to be sure what you are talking about before I expend any
effort to reply. Don't be so snotty.

Phals send out a long stem with multiple flower buds (sometimes called a
"spray"). When one flower fades, remove only that bud. More buds might
form. Remove the entire stem when there are no more flowers.

I keep mine in a north-facing greenhouse window with other houseplants.
Since my house is not "square on the compass", the window is not true
north. In the summer, it gets morning sun; then, I hang shade cloth
over it. See my http://www.rossde.com/garden/indoors.html.

My phals are planted in clay pots with bark chips and no soil. I water
them every second week over the kitchen sink. I block the pots' drain
holes with my hand and slowly fill the pot with water until the bark at
the top of the pot starts to float. Then, I allow the water to drain
away.

On the weeks I don't water them, I feed them. I mix 1/4 tsp of
commercial orchid food in a quart of water. After setting a pot in a
large bowl, I slowly pour the food into the pot, wetting all the bark at
the top. I lift the pot out of the bowl allowing the liquid to drain.
I recover the excess liquid to feed my second phal and then recover what
is left to begin watering the rest of my houseplants.

Phals should be watered weekly, but the feeding substitutes for a
watering. Care must be taken that no water or fertilizer gets into the
center of the plant, which can cause fatal rot.

Phals generally bloom only once a year. They can be forced to bloom
more often with controlled lighting and temperatures, but this might
weaken the plant. Plants purchased while in bloom might have been
forced; they might not bloom at home for a year or two while they recover.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/


David what colours of phal bulbs do u have i went over
to your site but didnt see any flower pics would sure love
to see some if u have any.
orchids are so pretty and darn touchy as well so i
havent even tried growing them.
good luck with your phal bulbs Tony. cyaaa, sockiescat.