The Orchid Garden

Miltonopsis fruits

Question:

 I have a Milt. Butterfly"yellow Flash" x Milt. Lorene "black rain" which was fertilized in October. The seed pod formed within a few weeks. My  problem is I have found so little information on the cultivtion of seeds. In what fungus are they grown? What techniques do I use, and under what conditions. Any help would be appreciated.  Because I am a biologist I raise my Orchids under as "natural" conditions as can be done in this enviornment. So if possible I would like to raise these under the same restrictions, however any information would be appreciated. erik rothacker Erik Rothaker

Response:

For four years this plant has grown larger and healthier, but no hint of blooms.  Does anybody known what it needs to flower?         Chip Epstein         Atlanta

Response:

For four years this plant has grown larger and healthier, but no hint of blooms.  Does anybody known what it needs to flower?         Chip Epstein         Atlanta

The plants should be cooled during the winter months, and while a strict dry rest isn’t needed, you should allow the pots to dry thoroughly between watering until the growing season. -Rod- Venger’s Orchids Website http://www.vengers.com/

Response:

For four years this plant has grown larger and healthier, but no hint of blooms.  Does anybody known what it needs to flower?         Chip Epstein         Atlanta The plants should be cooled during the winter months, and while a strict dry rest isn’t needed, you should allow the pots to dry thoroughly between watering until the growing season. -Rod-

I’ve treated my thyrisflorum much like a D. nobile, although without keeping it bone dry in the early winter. They do also seem to get quite large before flowering – I had mine for 6 years before it bloomed for the first time.  But it was well worth the wait – the first season, it loaded up with 8 giant pendulous clusters of white/yellow blooms.  It’s now blooming for the second time, although not as spectacularly as the first. Gary

Response:

Chip I have had excellent success growing Den. thyrsiflorum by growing in an intermediate to warm greenhouse.  My night time temperature in the winter is 59-62F.  This is most consistant with all other growers that I know that flower the plant well.  The main thing I have found to be very helpful is during the winter keep it little dryer, provide brighter light than during summer months (just removing my shade cloth is more than suficient) and lay off the fertilizer for a 2-3 months. With regard to growing cooler, one of the most beautiful specimens on Den. thrysiflorum I have ever seen was grown in the Miami area and that certainly is not cool. Mickey Connell in Orchid Country – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -For four years this plant has grown larger and healthier, but no hint of blooms.  Does anybody known what it needs to flower?        Chip Epstein        Atlanta

Response:

For four years this plant has grown larger and healthier, but no hint of blooms.  Does anybody known what it needs to flower?

You aren’t alone! Den. thrysiflorum has the reputation of being a shy bloomer. The "trick" is really quite simple if, and its a big if, you can give it the conditions it likes in winter. The plant needs to get the impression that you don’t care if it lives or dies. If it thinks its going to die, it will probably bloom, so it can have children, so the species will live on. Good old mother nature does this by subjecting the poor plant to high light, cold temperatures (and I do mean cold; like mid 40’sF to very low 50’sF) and almost no water (wave a mist nozzle at it as you walk by every week or two). Continue this torture all winter and into the spring until you see new growth starting. Then give it the usual loving orchid care: warmer and wetter. Since you did not say how you grow, I don’t know if it is easy or difficult for you to provide these conditions. Easy in a cool greenhouse in the northern part of the US. Probably hard on a patio on Guam. Good luck! Hope this helps! Bill Schneider Countryside Orchids *** Monthly specials Lists available by email. Send us email to subscribe.***

Response:

Hi,   Good advice from Bill Schneider. I keep mine on the lanai, with lots of sun (same as for the Cattleyas) and whatever temperature it happens to get. Only move it if we get a frost warning. Good Luck. C.B.Kempter, Naples,FL

Response:

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