blooming

Hi, I am trying to figure out when things are suppose to bloom. If they are in bloom when I get them, there is a clue.... but what about the others?

I have some new ones that I got out of bloom. I know that the Den Haleahi Butterfly 'Ornata' X Judi Camene 'Matador' and S C Fireball Fame X BLC Bryce Canyon are still to young to bloom for a while. When is time ; How do I know what time of year it they going to bloom:

The Yen Surprise 'Yen' is blooming size but when I dont know

I have looked on the internet to see if I can figure something out but no luck
So, do certain families bloom at curtain times of the year or what. I do know that it is possible for some to bloom more then once a year.

So, the question is "How do I know" Any good source recommedations?, etc

Thanks for your help

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Tami

I like to browse the venders on-line catalogues. Some of them will tell you in the plant description when it blooms. You could try that. Most catt types will bloom after a cold period, so maybe your catts will bloom in late winter/spring? Maybe you will just have to wait and see!

Orchids will not bloom unless you put them in a corner and ignore them....they are like boiling water...the more you watch the longer it takes. lol
Seriously though...with some catt's, they bloom according to season. Phals in general bloom after a 2-3 week spell of mid 50's temps at night with a 15+ degree change in the daytime temps. In general, being the choice words there. Phals sometimes will bloom sequentially....they give you 1-3 flowers at a time and when those fall new ones bloom shortly thereafter on the same spike. Sequential bloomers can bloom for a year or more off the same spike. Other plants, like Vanda's may only bloom once every couple years or may bloom incessantly sometimes. Oncids; my Tolumnia and Rodrecium are taking turns blooming. lol They also like a nice cold spot for a few weeks to help develop spikes later.
Pretty much it goes by a plant by plant basis. I keep notes on each plant I buy in a ringed binder to remind me when it was bought, what time of year it should be in bloom and what it's special needs are. I put a freeze warning # at top, easily visible as well as any that do not like high temps. It helps once you get more than 20 to remember each plants' likes and dislikes. Also, a picture of the plant when you buy it, not just the flower, helps id plants later on when they lose their tags or when you repot.
Good Luck
Connie

Actually, not true. While we often see Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum in bloom in the grocery stores here during the summer, the real bloom season is winter or winter/spring. The big commercial growers can force the blooms out of season. From speaking with a breeder near me, my phals, should be going into rejuv. time now inprep for the comming true bloom season.

I think the typical orchid breeder's site has the bloom season ( W S SU F) as part of the description.
Joe

Connie, That notebook idea is a good one. I hadn't thought to do anything like that. Now I think I will!

Thanks everyone. I will have to do the notebook thing too. I do something like that with my saltwater tank.. Thanks again

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Tami