Dear Orchid Doc:

My Phalaenopsis orchids have not bloomed since I bought them earlier this year. They are healthy-looking. I water them once per week, and apply 20-20 fertiliser or bloom booster every 10-14 days. I have them in a greenhouse, and they are getting sufficient sunlight.

Can you give me some advice, please?

Olivene Lewis

Spanish Town

Dear Olivene:

Nothing is wrong with your Phalaenopsis orchids; they usually don’t bloom this time of the year, especially in your area.

For one, Spanish Town is way too hot, and they do need a difference in temperature of about 10 to 15 degrees between night and day for at least twenty days for the spike to initiate.

Your Phalaenopsis should bloom around December.

Dear Orchid Doc:

Can you give some ideas as to different ways to plant an orchid?

Sydney

Dear Sydney:

A Phalaenopsis always looks good in a wooden basket. As a matter of fact, almost any orchid looks good in a wooden basket.

You could use driftwood… tie different species of the same climate requirement… be creative with the leaves… use the smaller species.

A dried piece of coconut husk that is cut in the shape of a peg of fruit (top to bottom). Tie in the middle a piece of dendrobium, or an oncidium, or even a Phalaenopsis.

Tie different species on to a dead tree, taking special note of the direction from which the sun shines.

If you have a tree with a hollow body, tie a Phalaenopsis into it.

If there is a palm tree, you could also use the trunk of it.

If you ever have a dead tree in the yard, never cut it down completely. Leave it at about 6 feet and dress it up.