Dear Orchid Doc;

I’ve had a potted Spathoglottis for some time now. I have tried moving them to different locations, giving them fertilisers, etc, but they are yet to bloom. Any suggestions?

DB

Dear DB

Spathoglottis orchids love the cooler areas of the garden. They also love compost. I would advise you to place compost around the roots every three months. I also find that the more hybrid ones prefer to be planted in a compost type mix. They bloom when the temperature gets cooler, unless you live in the hills or Mandeville area where they might bloom twice per year.

Dear Orchid Doc;

Thanks for the useful information you give in the Sunday Observer. I have followed your advice and have been rewarded with lovely blooms.

I have recently noticed however, that the buds on my Dendrobium spikes shrivel and then abort. My girlfriend thinks that the plants are being attacked by an insect called midge. It is heartbreaking to lose the blooms especially on the plants that are blooming for the first time. I’ve sprayed with Confidor, Caprid and Diazinon but to no avail.

Help!!

Marie

Dear Marie;

Your girlfriend might be right. Try using your usual fungicide however, you will never be rid of it totally, will go away for a while, when you break it comes back again..

Let us hope that it is just overwatering that is causing your problem, as the symptoms are also that of an overwatered garden.

Betty Stephenson Ashley

Orchid Cottage

Kingston 8, Jamaica .

Cell # 876-3224585,

Fax 876-931-8805

bettystephensonashley@gmail.com