Dear Orchid Doc:

Why do the leaves of my bare root orchids drop so easily and fail to grow roots yet might be spiking or blooming?

Mikayla

Dear Mikayla:

Positioning your orchids upright rather than laying them flat might help to solve this issue.

Plus, the failure to grow roots is a direct result of the plant directing all its energy to the blooming aspect of the orchids. My advice is to abort the bloom if the orchid has no roots and redirect the energy to the roots.

Dear Orchid Doc:

I’ve had a Schomburgkia for several years and it has never bloomed. As an orchid enthusiast and reader of your weekly column I saw your response to a reader who’s having blooming issues. My orchid is on a mango tree as opposed to being in a pot. Aside from possible insects, do you think having it on a tree is the reason it hasn’t bloomed in a decade? It keeps growing, though, and is big and beautiful.

Belinda

Dear Belinda:

The Schomburgkia enjoys light; indeed, mine gets 80 per cent light and is thriving. Here are my suggestions:

1. Prune the mango tree to allow in more light.

Or

Repot in a wooden basket.

I have no doubt that yours is getting way too much shade. Now would be a good time to transfer it.