Orchid won't bloom

[Belmont]

Posting this for my dear sweet mother, she's had an orchid for a half a decade or so, and it bloomed once when she first got it. Since then, she's tried everything she could think of to get it to bloom, from shocking it, to blood sacrifice. If any of you folks have suggestions on getting it to bloom, please do post them.

 

[Rajesh Sethi]

from shocking it, to blood sacrifice

I am sure you meant blood meal


I am not sure yet try to compost some banana peel, they are rich in potassium (regulate water and hormones in plant) might trigger the plant to blossom.

 

[alp]

Banana peel definitely.. Sister in law told me that when she was here last month and she said it worked instantly..

 

[Larisa]

First you need to find out what kind of orchid it is. For example, phalaenopsis blooms without problems. However, there are orchids that will bloom only under certain temperature conditions. For example, a cool temperature for a rest period. Or a certain difference between daytime temperature and night temperature. Or special humidity of air.
If possible, show a picture of this orchid. After the identification, we can say something more specifically.

 

[Becky]

Good advice from @Larisa

If an orchid isn't blooming at all it's probably not happy. They like to be in a bright place but with no direct sunlight, and they don't like to have their roots sat in water. Tell us more about it and we'll try our best to help - eg how much light does it get, what type of light, how often/much is it watered etc.

 

[Belmont]

Its in my moms bathroom, it has a massive frosted south facing winndow so its pretty bright most of the time. She always waters it from the bottom, and makes sure theres lots of water available to it. Its potted in woodchiips it cane like that from the store, maybe a point worth noting. Its rootbound too, on account of spending half a decade in the same container. Ill get a picture or 2 when Im home.

 

[Becky]

Sounds like it needs repotting, and might also be worth getting a spray bottle to mist the roots with water. Maybe she should try watering it little and often too.

 

[Belmont]

2 pictures of the plant, 1 picture of the potting setup, and 1 of the window that provides light. As far as potting, the plant is in the inner plastic container. It has a bunch of drain holes in the bottom. My mom has enough water in the black pot to ensure the plant always has water, she changes the water once every couple weeks. Its potted in wood chips.

 

[Larisa]

This phalaenopsis. He does not blossom, because there is not enough light. The plant is located at the window, but in the corner. Phalaenopsis loves shadow, but not darkness. You can water it once a week. You just need to put the pot in a tank of water. You can sometimes add fertilizer to water for irrigation. Phalaenopsis does not need constant water in the pot . Phalaenopsis loves good air ventilation, but not a draft.
I would move it to a bright place (not the sun!). When the flower spike appears and starts to bloom, then you can return it back. At the time of flowering.

But for the growth of a new peduncle it must be placed again in a bright, but not a sunny place.

 

[Belmont]

Thank you! Ill find somewhere for it, and post an update in a while

 

[Becky]

Agreed, it needs more light

 

[Belmont]

While I was taking a look, I noticed theres white mold on a couple of the leaves. I dont know how I missed it before, they arent exactly small spots. Any recommendations on how to get rid of the mold? Ill take pictures when I get home

 

[Belmont]

I got pictures. Doesnt look too good, what dyou folks think? Any way to fix it?

 

[Becky]

Does it wipe off or is it part of the leaf?

 

[Belmont]

The one in the first picture goes right through to the other side of the leaf, so I assume it probably won't wipe off very well. I'm unsure, though. I can check in an hour or so, it's 5AM here currently and all sane people are asleep.