D. Bobby Messina x Jiad Gold orchid help!

[welshgardner]

I have had a D. Bobby Messina x Jiad gold orchid for about 2 years and it was in full bloom when I bought it. It has never bloomed since but the plant is very healthy and large. How do I get this plant to bloom? I use Peter's Orchid two or three times per month.

Thank you

[Diane]

Keep watching - I don't grow dends, but we have a couple of real experts here. They will answer you soon.

[smartie2000]

I did a google image search and its beautiful! It's definitely not one that needs a cool dry rest (nobile type), but its evergreen growing one.

What light levels are you growing them in? Higher light will help ecourage blooming and night time temperature drops and slight drying. Light is a common issue for evergreen dends not blooming.

....we need to wait for the experts on dends and I am not one sorry

[Piper]

Here are some facts about your Dend...

The first parent is correctly spelled, Bobby Mesina. The cross you have is named, Den. Maritere Ramirez. It's made up of:

37% Den. schulleri
26% Den. phalaenopsis
13% Den. gouldii
10% Den. discolor
9% Den. tokai

All of these species are from the Dend section Spatulata (the antelope ear Dends), except for Den. phalaenopsis, aka biggibum, which is from the closely aligned section Phalaenanthe.

Den. Phalaenopsis likes a dry winter rest. Members of the Spatulata section don't require as dry a winter rest, but all of these species are warm growers and don't tolerate cold well.

So general culture would be high light, pot in a well draining medium, water and fertilize throughout the growing season, water less frequently in the winter.

Hope this helps!

McJulie

[clintdawley]

I have this cross. It needs a ton of light to bloom (vanda light levels..almost). It blooms in the Spring/Summer for me.

Clint

[smartie2000]

I thought it was a antelope type with phalaenopsis too, but I needed an expert ID. good info Julie. Putting this plant outside in a semi-shaded spot with morning sun (weather permitting) might help it bloom if it is still being stubborn.