B. David Sander won't bloom.

[Cewal]

It is grown under T5 lights and has about 30 leaves (It had around 50, before I divided it.) I've had it for about 8 years and it is very healthy - fertilized once a month. The leaves are dark green, tinged red on the edges. Does that mean it is getting too much light - and, if so, would too much light keep it from blooming?

[raybark]

What wattage total?

How far under the lights?

What formula fertilizer, at what concentration?

Howe often is it watered?

[Cewal]

What wattage total?

How far under the lights?

What formula fertilizer, at what concentration?

Howe often is it watered?

4 bulbs - 54 watts each
Top of leaves are 16-18 inches from bulbs. I used to have it closer but thought I should move it based on the color of the leaves.
Fertilizer - 13-3-15 8Ca-2Mg (from rePotme.com)
Watered once or twice a week, depending on dryness of bark. I also mist each morning.

[PaphMadMan]

First, can you confirm that this is Brassavola (now Rhynchovola) David Sander (Brassavola cuculatta x Rhynchavola digbyana)? B. David Sander might refer to Bulbophyllum David Sander.

Assuming Brassavola (Rhynchovola) David Sander it is almost impossible to give this plant too much light under only 4 T5 lights, though it might get hot enough to damage leaves very close to the bulbs if air circulation isn't good. At 16-18 inches to tops of leaves it is probably much less light than ideal, and usually if a healthy growing mature plant of this cross (as yours seems to be) is not blooming the problem is not enough light. This cross, like the B. cucullata parent, can tend to have noticeable red pigment regardless of the light level, so the description of dark green leaves is a possible indication of not enough light as well.

One other possibility is ongoing mild stress to the plant if night temperatures tend to stay very warm, but it shouldn't be nearly as sensitive to that as some. Can you give a couple examples of plants that do bloom consistently in your conditions?

You haven't said how much fertilizer you use, but from the description of the plant it is certainly getting enough. If it was my plant I would cut the fertilizer use in half, make absolutely sure it doesn't stay moist in the center between waterings, and gradually move it as close to the lights as possible. Then give it at least 2 cycles of new growth going to maturity to see if it responds.

And if the moderator could move this thread to a more appropriate category of the forum it might get more attention.

[raybark]

If that is the LIQUID version of that fertilizer, be aware that its formula is actually more on the order of 1.4-0.3-1.6-0.8Ca-0.3Mg. If you are using that at one ounce per gallon, monthly, you might be doing OK.

"Dark" green might suggest insufficient light.

[Cewal]

PaphMadMan - It was sold to me as a Brassavola, and when I compare pictures online the leaves look more like a Brassavola. They have good air circulation from a ceiling fan that is on 24/7. Orchids that bloom under my lights are Paphiopedilum, Phaleanopsis, Howeara, Angraecum, Masdivallia, some Draculas, and some Cattleyas. My vandas bloom but they spend summers outside under full sun and then come in under the lights.

[Arne]

I have a similar plant, Rhynchovola Jimminey Cricket. My experience is that it wants a lot of light. But if the light gives off heat close to the buds, they dry up immediately. The buds want strong light but without dry heat.
Good Luck. It will bloom shortly, I'm sure.
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[PaphMadMan]

PaphMadMan - It was sold to me as a Brassavola, and when I compare pictures online the leaves look more like a Brassavola. They have good air circulation from a ceiling fan that is on 24/7. Orchids that bloom under my lights are Paphiopedilum, Phaleanopsis, Howeara, Angraecum, Masdivallia, some Draculas, and some Cattleyas. My vandas bloom but they spend summers outside under full sun and then come in under the lights.

The Rhynchovola name is a technicality. One parent is Brassavola, it is commonly known as Brassavola, and does look like a Brassavola. Both parents are high light species. It really needs similar or higher light than most broad-leaf Vandas, so a summer vacation in the sun with them is probably just what it needs. Closer to the lights for now, and gradually get it used to the Vanda level sun next summer, and I bet it blooms after that.

[Cewal]

The Rhynchovola name is a technicality. One parent is Brassavola, it is commonly known as Brassavola, and does look like a Brassavola. Both parents are high light species. It really needs similar or higher light than most broad-leaf Vandas, so a summer vacation in the sun with them is probably just what it needs. Closer to the lights for now, and gradually get it used to the Vanda level sun next summer, and I bet it blooms after that.

Thank you so much for your help. I did move it closer to the lights and will definitely give it some sun next summer.

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[ksriramkumar]

Posting a picture would help see the plant and get further clues.