Encyclia Alata won't bloom

[Dallasgarden]

Okay, I've had this guy for three years running now...tons of foliage, beautiful plant, gave it so much light this spring that it started "bleaching out" until I moved it to a little more shade...and no bloom! Never has it bloomed. My other encyclias are all doing great...what's the trick? Am I fertilizing it too much?

[smwboxer]

Chris, I have one and it blooms every summer. It's in a window that get's E/SE light. The light is bright enought to turn the psuedobulbs closest to the window get a red blush. I pretty much just feed it with a typical orchid fert. and flush it good every 4th watering. I don't really give it much of a rest as it start putting on new growth in the fall and starts to bloom soon after they mature.

[Dallasgarden]

SMW,
How cool is it went it blooms? Since you keep it inside maybe temperature is affecting mine.

[Raphael]

Chris, the Encyclia species appreciate a drastic change in temperature during the winter in order to trigger blooms. Sounds like the light situation is perfect. I keep my alata cool/cold/dry from November to March. Always lots of light!

[Lambert]

I agree, you may be missing a cooler period with lots of light and less water.
Also once the new growths mature switch to a fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus (no N and high K) for 1-2 months, I would say do this now, and then no fert during the cooler "rest".

[Ron-NY]

Chris, the Encyclia species appreciate a drastic change in temperature during the winter in order to trigger blooms. Sounds like the light situation is perfect. I keep my alata cool/cold/dry from November to March. Always lots of light!

I too agree ...mine blooms every June with this treatment...I don't switch fertilizers as Laurent does ...Mine gets down to 60 degrees in the winter but still bloomed with 65 low

[Dallasgarden]

A couple of things...because the plant looks fantastic, but is very frustrating for me. My other encyclias bloom quite easily. I use fish emulsion and water from my koi pond occasionally and dunk the plant in a bucket during the summer. Probably once a month and water with a hose the rest.
The plant hangs outdoors in the summer and gets plenty of light. Even had to move it to more shade this Spring because the leaves were bleaching out. My newest bulb did develope a small 1/8" pre-spike? but it never when further.
In the winter, I keep the plant in the garage under grow lights where it does stay around 60. However, I do "dunk" it once a week in the kitchen sink and have given it weak fertilizer in the winter. It's already half-way developing a new p-bulb, and last year's is just beginning to show a little shrinkage. It's mounted.

[Ron-NY]

sounds like u are doing things right but I would keep it dryer in the winter and no fertilizer then. ...do you have a pic of the plant? If I recall my new growth develops in the spring and then blooms in June

[clintdawley]

I agree. When I have a non-bloomer like that I usually look at giving it seasonal changes in culture.

sounds like u are doing things right but I would keep it dryer in the winter and no fertilizer then. ...do you have a pic of the plant? If I recall my new growth develops in the spring and then blooms in June

[Ron-NY]

I find it an easy plant to bloom...so give it another year and if you ccan't get it to bloom I will spike it for you and then mail it back