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Can someone tell me what's wrong with my orchid?

I have an orchard growing in sphagnum moss under my back pergola. The pergola has clear laser light overhead and I presume it is getting enough light there. I only water it when the sphagnum moss has dried out.

I have had the plant for 3 years now and it has not flowered during that time. I am also concerned that some of the leaves are getting spots and turning a purple colour.

I only fertilize the plant in spring and summer.

Any comments on what I'm doing wrong would be much appreciated. Link is to pics of my orchid.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21894271@N08/sets/721...

2 Answers

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  • Claire
    Lv 4
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Its a dendrobium - probably "speciosum" that likes about 40% shade. They grow on the ground on rocks in crevices so usually have a good tree canopy giving shade. The spots and brown bits are a mixture of a virus or fungus and a bit of leaf scorch. Not a major problem. They like pleenty of light in winter and lots of shade in summer. They like to be kept quite dry over winter (water about once a month). and about once a week in summer. They are quite dormant in winter so watering and feeding is pointless.

    In September, get some orchid fertiliser or even aquasol at quarter strength and give the plant a good soak in a tub for about half and hour - this will help feed development of spikes for next year. Do that about once a month until April. Its too late for it to flower this year becuase they are already putting out spikes for this year.

    Source(s): Aust Native Orchid enthusiast Try this site too: http://www.cedarvaleorchids.com/html/cool-growing_...
  • It is getting too much direct sun. The leaves are burning so your Orchid needs to move to all shade for summer months. Summer sun in too strong for Orchids. Also it is getting too much water with water on leaves. When you water avoid getting the leaves wet. The next problem is the humidity level is too high. Where are you living? I have always kept my Orchids out under my porch. This year I had to bring them back in. It is too hot and way to much humidity. Orchids should not be in temps any hotter than 85 degrees and no lower than 58. In order for yours to bloom you must allow them to be in the 58 degrees or they will not bloom. If you have had them for 3 years when was the last time you repotted them? They should be repotted every 2 years. Water only once a week.

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