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Orchids and Amaryllis

teddysmum
teddysmum Posts: 9,471
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I have two orchid plants that I've had for two years, but though they grow leaves there have been no more flower.


Is it possible to get them flowering without very specialist treatment (eg timed lighting) ?


I also have a gorgeous twin headed Amaryllis which has double flowered for two years, but ,this year I have managed to collect a number of seeds which are dry and black, the pods having ripened and popped.


Has anyone had any luck getting these to germinate and then flower ?

Comments

  • I_have_spoken
    I_have_spoken Posts: 5,051 Forumite
    edited 4 June 2017 at 3:37PM
    Is it a moth orchid like this? I've got them to repeat flower by repoting after flowering, keeping on a west-facing landing window and using an orchid fertiliser

    Phal-3.jpg
  • Fruittea
    Fruittea Posts: 956
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    I managed to germinate the Amaryllis very easily and have several plants but I think it may take up to 3 years before they flower. The foliage looks nice and strong though. Good luck.
  • wantonnoodle
    wantonnoodle Posts: 284
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    Hi, I've had some luck with Orchids. I've had the same one for getting on for 5 years now, and whenever I think it's given up the ghost, it surprises me with a new display of flowers!! All I have done is put it on either a north or an east facing windowsill. I'm hopeless at watering, so that tends to be about once every couple of weeks or when I remember.

    The only other thing I have done is to give it orchid food - http://www.wilko.com/plant-food+fertilisers/baby-bio-orchid-food-single-use-dripper-40ml/invt/0342222

    They last about a month, then I leave it for a month - 6 weeks then give it another, unless its flowering in which case I keep it constantly fed. Mine has been in flower since late Jan/early Feb, so that's 4 months with gorgeous pink blooms. Some of the flowers are now starting to fade now, but I have noticed that I have 3 new buds ready to open, so it's going to go on flowering for a while longer. :)

    Sadly I don't know anything about Amaryllis as I have never had much luck with them myself.
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,471
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    I'm lax with the orchid watering after the flowers finish/feeding, but it looks as though I have them in the wrong place,though the flowering ones seem to benefit from where they are (on top of the fish tank, sideways on to a south facing window).


    I didn't realise that they needed re-potting, assuming that they required to be cramped as they are in the small see-through pots they are supplied in.


    The latest two really were good value at Tesco's £1.64 each,especially the white one which has 13 flowers and one bud yet to open.


    I have since bought to African violets (in fancy gold pots) for £2 each and they are covered in flowers. I do quite well with this species, but killed on off this year due to overwatering causing rot.
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,471
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    I unfortunately for the plants no longer in flower, I know where I went wrong with orchids.


    The new flower stems branch from triangular shoots on the old stalks and I cut the old stalks off.
  • teddysmum wrote: »

    The new flower stems branch from triangular shoots on the old stalks and I cut the old stalks off.

    You are correct in this, to an extent. From experience I have seen one or two new spikes of flowers from each stem, however, it is possible for an orchid to grow whole new stems. My 5 year old orchid has had about 6 or 7 stems over its life time. They grow out from under the leaves, just make sure you don't mistake it for one of the roots. I've done that before!! :)
  • olliebears
    olliebears Posts: 19 Forumite
    Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) grow well in centrally heated rooms and have long-lasting flowers produced all year round once flowering is over cut the stem back to about an inch above the first node and it will send out another shoot. I soak mine in water for 20 mins once a week and feed with weak food. Keep the leaves clean. more stems come with age and being looked after. I have a cymbidium orchid in flower each year for over 27 years! It is outside between March and November in Scotland
  • olliebears
    olliebears Posts: 19 Forumite
    Amaryllis seeds germinate easily but you must keep them growing for a few years without rest until they flower. Adult bulbs need to rest. Once bulbils (Baby bulbs) have formed don't plant too deep and use a free draining compost to ensure bulbs don't rot. Good luck
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