Growing Phalaenopsis to Flower Well

Posted on by

For those of you growing phals, there is an excellent 4 part series by Dr. Wang referenced on the Orchids Interactive forum. I’ve attached links to the 4 articles. Part 3 offers some great tips for getting phals to bloom. Summary of info. I found useful:

Phals grow vegt. at 82* up but need cooler temps to set spikes, ideally 79* daytime temperature

Many commercial growers use 77*/68* day/nite temp regiment for spike initiation for 4-5 weeks at these temps. After spiking, plants can be grown in wider temp. range 63* to 79* to time flowering to a specific date.

Flower spike usually emerges from 2nd/3rd/4th node below upper most leaf.

Plants with young inflorescence (4″ or shorter) can keiki if grown over 82* temp

Temps over 80* can reduce spike size and flower count.

I’m interested in how other members are able to cool their plants here in our hot climate to maximize spike and flower count.

To read the articles use the following links –

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

September meeting

Posted on by

Next meeting: Wednesday, September 1

Speaker: Jim Roberts

Topic: Summertime and the Growin’ is Easy

Jim Roberts, owner of Florida SunCoast Orchids, is a leader in the growing orchid industry of Florida, operating throughout the state of Florida as well as supporting national market demands.

He has been growing orchids for more than 25 years, in climates ranging from cold Minnesota to hot SW Florida (Jim moved to our region in 2001). He has traveled extensively in search of orchid treasures to Hawaii, South America, and Europe, seeking the plants that will grow and bloom best for his clients.

Jim has had careers in mortgage banking, retail management, teaching, and music. He now leads Florida SunCoast Orchids in its quest to become one of the prime growers and suppliers to the retail hobbyist market for quality orchid plant selections. The company “crew” is his wife Mary and their children, who regularly help out with the daily chores of watering, cleaning, and repotting.

Plant Table August 2010

Posted on by

Show Table August 2010

Monthly meetings include a show table of members’ plants. Six ribbons are awarded each month. These awards are: one for Best Species, and a First, Second and Third place award to any plant, a Speaker’s Choice award and the VAOS members vote on the plant for Members’ Choice. The following section describes each of these awards for August. Plants are named as presented with minor editing corrections. To view a larger image, click on the photograph.

First Place and Speaker’s Choice: Catasetum Spotted Dragon

Grower: Hank Irvine

This Catasetum hybrid was registered by JEM Orchids of Florida in 1983. It is a cross of Ctsm. fimbriatum x Ctsm. Orchidglade. The grex has received 7 awards. The exhibited plant had two inflorescences in full flower.
Second Place and Members’ Choice: Catasetum Black Knight

Grower: Bill Timm

A Catasetum hybrid registered by W. Neptune in 1996. It is a cross of Ctsm. expansum x Ctsm. tenebrosum
Third Place: Cattleya Robert Strait ‘Blue Hawaii’ JC/AOS

Grower: Bob Wallace

This cross of C. walkeriana and C.Wayndora was registered in 1990. It has produced seven AOS award winners. The JC/AOS was awarded to this Clorox for the unusual color. The plant displayed had multiple heads of flowers.
Best Species: Gastrochilus japonicus

Grower: Bill Timm

A miniature species from Asia that blooms in the late summer. The color maybe predominately green, yellow or orange. The flowers form a dense ball and are held close to the stem of the plant.

18 plants from 8 exhibitors were shown.