question for the orchid pros out there

First let me say that I am new to orchid growing and there are some thing that I would like some help with if you guys don't mind. How long does it take any orchid from beginning of new growth to flowering ? Also what can I do to help the process along ? I live in a tropical climate and besides my best friend (we got into orchids together ) there is no one to be of any assistance to me on orchid culture . I have to rely on all that I have read but most, if not all, that I have read is mainly from seasonal climate point of view . We only have 2 seasons here the dry and the rainy . It never gets lower than 73f or higher than 89f and in the summertime between 70 to 80 percent humidity . That's it , we don't have extremes in temps . So tell me how am I supposed to help my babies thrive if , (for the phals) I can't provide that 10 degree drop in temp to encourage spiking .Or some of the other stuff I can't do for them . I am in an apt so I have no trees to mount them on and have to keep them inside for fear of them being blown over in the wind . Can someone please help me ? I need some reassurance .

Welcome to OT. First of all there is no hard and fast rule to growing orchids. We try as far as possible to replicate the conditions of the original home of the orchids we grow, with varying degrees of success. Most of the orchids we grow are from the tropics and so should not present too much of a problem for us living in the tropics.Maybe I'm not the best person (a notorious phal killer) to advise you on growing phals but those of my friends here grow some beautiful phals successfully. Your Barbados climate (except for the typhoons) should be ideal for phals. May I suggest you look up some posts by Angela, our fantastic grower from Barbados, and be inspired by her and her orchids?

I've grown phals indoors where the temperatures were constant and they still bloomed. I wouldn't worry about not being able to provide lower temperatures.

thanks for your words of encouragement . I must admit I'm a bit henny when it comes to my plants . I don't like the idea of any of them perishing .I know that's unrealistic but it's how I am . I get attached . plants seem to like me and do well under my care , I just don't want orchids to be the exception lol.

We all have the same love for our plants. I have neighbors that think i'm nutty because I tend to talk out loud to my plants. I recently was told my plants look nice, but when I look at them I worry about everything i'm probably not doing right. lol The biggest thing to learn is not to water your orchids like they are houseplants. There are Vanda orchids that love to be watered all the time, as long as they dry out before nighttime. Cattleya prefer to be watered maybe twice a week on a sunny week. And the phalanopsis that only need water every 7-10 days. Time and experience will help you lose that feeling that you are killing them in spite of your best efforts. Hang in there...

Hi Yvonni
Welcome to the Forum.
I am from Barbados and would be happy to offer assistance.
Send me a Private message with your contact information and Iwould be happy to get in touch with you. (Private messages located at the top of the page)

Hi Angela , thanks in advance for offering your help . Also I appreciate what you said too Connie , thank you . I will try to be more patient. Seems like you need a lot with orchids LOL . Angela I was trying to send you a private mess but it won't let me keeps saying that I have turned my messaging of and it won't work until I turn it back on by changing my options , but I can't seem to figure out where I'm to look for my options . well anyway if you want I can post a thread with my cell number and you can message me ?

Originally Posted by yvonni

Hi Angela , thanks in advance for offering your help . Also I appreciate what you said too Connie , thank you . I will try to be more patient. Seems like you need a lot with orchids LOL . Angela I was trying to send you a private mess but it won't let me keeps saying that I have turned my messaging of and it won't work until I turn it back on by changing my options , but I can't seem to figure out where I'm to look for my options . well anyway if you want I can post a thread with my cell number and you can message me ?

At the top right of the screen there is a link called 'SETTINGS'. Click that link and then go to the edit options link on the new page that loads. You should see the option to enable your PMs there. I do not recommend posting a public message with your phone number.

cheers,
BD

Hi BD , thank you for your help . I think I got it figured out now .