Will my Phalaenopsis Newberry Parfait orchid ever bloom again?

Question

I made a huge mistake with my orchid, I cut the entire bloom stem off last summer when the last flowering finished. The base plant is healthy & has lots of vigorous new growth, no sign of insect infestation, but there is also no sign of a new bloom stem either. I feed it with scotts orchid food every time I water except once a month I soak the clay pot in plain water & scrub off the salt deposits. Is there anything I can do to stimulate a new bloom stem?

It was in full bloom last July-August (I recieved it as a gift in full bloom) It gets full southern exposure in my sun room.

Answer 1

When did the plant start flowering last time? If it was in Feb. or March, you may not see a spike starting until at least Thanksgiving, perhaps Christmas. Phals are pretty regular yearly bloomers, either winter blooming types (Christmas through early spring start) or summer bloomers (June through Sept. start).

Cutting off the flower stem is not a big mistake. On some types, cutting a green stem will sacrifice a second bloom, or even a baby plant- but just on a quick check, I don't think Newberry Parfait has the parentage to be likely to do either of those. (the small, multibranched phals will do those, it's fun!). Cutting a brown, dried stem is never a mistake.

If you don't see a bloom spike starting in the next couple of months, you may want to check your light- not enough light is the most common cause for a healthy phal not blooming. If you're familiar with African violets, you want to give the phal enough light so that the AV's leaves cup and curl from too much light. I grow phals under fluorescents- 2- 2-tube shoplights (4 tubes total) about 12-18" above the plant.

Good luck!

Okay- sounds like a summer bloomer, then. So the spike will probably not start until mid-late spring. Until then, the plant will be putting its energy into lots of pretty new leaves and roots. A southern exposure should be enough light- if the leaves start looking kind of hard, really pale green, and shrunken, you may want to put a lace curtain or something to filter the light.

Answer 2

Try "starving" it. Sometimes plants and trees will bloom when "they think" survival is in danger. Cut back on the plant food. Don't let it dry out to the point of endangering the plant, but try to trick the plant into thinking it is in danger.

My grandmother had a similar plant many years ago. She feed it every time she watered. Then one time she ran out of food, and my grandfather could not remember to pick any up. The plant got water, but no food. 6 weeks later it bloomed and amazed all of us!

Good luck!
Rain

Answer 3

phalenopsis make flowers just one time on year!be patient ,don't move the plant from the place where is flowering and never again cut the stem!!!good chance!

Answer 4

it truly is maximum rewarding and relaxing employer international huge .in the initiating one ought to go with a acceptable position for Orchid flower backyard ,then planting healthful seedling and should be carried out proper care at particular period.

Answer 5

you have to make sure it is getting enough sunlight. you may be over feeding it, they suggest once a week when it is getting ready to bloom