I posted here in Jan that I finally, after over 2 yrs of growing
orchids, got my Paph (first one I got) to spike. Unfotunately, I killed
the spike by my watering method before it flowered. But at least I got
it to spike! I did it by not feeding or watering it for a few months,
as I had seen suggested by people here.
I posted a month or so ago that I had gotten my Oncidium Sharry Baby to
spike the same way. And this time, I didn't kill the bloom. It's been
blooming for a few weeks, had 14 full flowers for a while. After over 3
years of growing orchids, finally! I noticed this morning as I left for
work that it has dropped one of the flowers, so I guess the bloom is
ending. But I GOT ONE TO BLOOM!
I also noticed last week that my one and only Cattleya is spiking. Been
watching it and babying it since. I had done the same with it to get it
to bloom. No food and very little water for months. Having fun watching
it grow out. Can't wait to see it bloom. Have never seen this one bloom
since it wasn't blooming when I got it a couple of years ago.
So I must be doing something right! Now I'm reading up, want to learn
how to take it to the next level. All the orchids I have are rejects
from the green house where my son's fiancee works, so they're pretty
beat up. I've been working on trimming them back and getting them in
shape. Learning as I go. Who'da thougth that I, the Plant Killer, would
be raising orchids! Funny, they've even gotten me taking better care of
my other plants!