to induce mass blooming...

[paphioboy]

anybody got any tips to share to induce orchids to produce a mass display of blooms? I mean, some of us may have large plants of certain species (or hybrids) which bloom only a little at a time...or some plants that may require certain stimulus to bloom (drying out/cooling)... i need help with my brassavola nodosa which is a large plant, but produces only 2 or 3 spikes at a time, although it sends up many new growths... it is grown in high light and fed regularly... any suggestions?tq

 

[NYEric]

That's that d_ _ n plant that I've had for years and won't bloom!

 

[Scooby5757]

I remember someone suggesting once to dust the plant down with lime and then washing it off after a minute or so. Help give nodosa and its hybrids a boost, maybe that will help? Ive begon doing it in spring and midsummer, cant say I notice exceptional changes, but I can't say it's hurt.

 

[NYEric]

Did it bloom more than before?

 

[Scooby5757]

Can't say it did ....but it may be the kick in the pants this one needs. The other option is to place it closer to the trash can.

 

[slippertalker]

In my experience, the only thing that works is growing the plants as well as possible with multiple leading growths. Even then, it's just a matter of timing and luck. Some plants are much easier to bloom in a mass display- dendrochilums, dendrobiums, stanhopeas, oncidiums and others are a bit tougher, requiring very vigorous leading growths.
With paphs, species that grow quickly and bloom easily are the best bets, such as Paph sukhakulii, Paph villosum and their hybrids.

 

[Rick]

Some of these guys also cue into big temp and watering fluctuations to gear them up for a big show.

So cool/dry winters and hot/humid summers can get them to bloom in big shows.

Its hard to quantify how big a difference, but I would try a 20degree (F) difference between winter and summer night lows. Cut winter water (and fertilizer) till the pseudobulbs start to crinkle a bit. When you start to see new growth in the spring dramaticaly increase the water again.