blooming

[walla2butterfly]

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

[cindiras]

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!

[Cjcorner]

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

[JoeW]

........ If they are in bloom when I get them, there is a clue....

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

[cindiras]

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

[walla2butterfly]

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