How long to cool down Phalaenopsis Orchids to get flowers? & more! Q&A January 2024

[@MissOrchidGirl]

This video is sponsored by rePotme, check them out here go.missorchidgirl.com/repotme106 They also provided products like pots, clips, some of the stakes and fertiliser I used in this video. Watch all episodes of this series here kzbin.info/aero/PLxo6tXzj__mZqM-12FvYZW0wCpfQ8P-Yb

[@sheiselwilliams1]

Danny, Great questions and answers! Hope you make this a long-term series.

[@jhndr0nia]

Another issue with these home-made fertilisers is that they are not balanced. Orchids, as well as other plants, need more elements than just NPK and yes banana peel does contain a lot of potassium (K) but less of other elements. So in order to ensure a balanced nutrition, one would need to use all different kinds of things to create a balance. And I really think that this hassle outweighs the lower price, just buy a commercial fertiliser

[@TheBetty723]

I have 20 orchids. And really love them.And enjoy watching your videos.

[@PlantPerson58]

I bought one last year not sure if I could keep it alive. It’s well on its way to blooming again. Thanks for these informative videos.

[@TanyaPink-ed4zf]

Awesome Q&A Danny, thank you! My only wish was that it was longer 😃

[@mwmranch]

What I'd really like to know is where you get all of your decorative outer pots. I am having a heck of a time finding them for my orchids.

[@erelyful]

Many are from ikea, if you have ikea in your country, they’re on the cheaper side

[@kellipolsinelli9248]

I am glad I found you. You are amazingly knowledgeable, and my only stop for orchid information. Thank you for working so Hard, Danny.

[@jillcollins8555]

I’ve been wanting to say this from the beginning of the new year when you first got your hair cut… I LOVE IT! I know you said a couple times you hated it but give it a chance… it is VERY pretty, I like how it gives you more volume and it’s a nice shape… 😊

[@Elena-pq4so]

❤ Thank you ❤ Brilliant Q and A... Love from Hot - Humid Sydney Australia 😍 Hello from my Mini Mark 💕 3 blooms from October..till February 😂 Due to humidity...he lasted this long . Take care, beautiful 😍

[@PetraEmmy]

I am excited about this series.. I have just ordered an oncidium and a cymbidium.. I did watch your videos on these orchids but I am nervous.. I have mastered my phals.. even have a keiki thats about 5 years old and she's going to bloom! 🎉 any advice on my new varieties are appreciated 👍Thanks for making all these helpful videos. You are the reason all of my phals have spikes 💚

[@iljaseklervl]

I think Danny has given up on Cymbidiums as most of widely available hybrids require a prolonged and strong (below 9°C, but non-freezing) cooldown period in order to initiate flower spikes. If your environment allows such conditions or your Cymbidium doesn't need this cooldown (some miniature Cymbidiums don't), this is the easiest and most robust orchid IMHO. Oncidums are very diverse, but generally light-green colored and slim leaves indicate higher light requirements. Roots are even less capable to cope with hard water than Phalaenopsis (I keep water including fertilizer always below 150 ppm for Oncidums). Mostly cool growers without any need for special measures to initiate blooming. A lot of fragrant varieties on the market.

[@PetraEmmy]

@@iljaseklervl wow! Thank you sooo much! I’m in Canada so no problem with cool down 🤪👍🏻I am excited to pick up my new babies and watch them grow

[@peggymarvelle6520]

Would love to know why potting mix is different for dendrobiums? My husband bought me 5 starts and not sure how to proceed.

[@debbieconnelly1484]

Thanks!

[@denisedavis5267]

Thanks Dani, I learned a little from this Q & A!!

[@yadanarnyan5104]

Thank you for yor videos.They are helpful to me so much❤

[@franmclachlan9120]

Mealy bugs! I go in every day with a q tip and get all visible bugs, but next day there they are again! I even repotted and washed every plant (and dumped the worst infected) and cleaned my sunroom from top to bottom … even down to the cords on the blinds. What can I do now? I’m close to giving up my hobby but I DONT WANT TO DO THAT. I have watched your bug videos by the way. Thanks for your fabulous videos

[@quiestinliteris]

You can try introducing some predators like cryptolaemus. They also take care of aphids and scales. There are only a few places where it poses a danger of becoming invasive, but from what I've read, there are local alternatives available in those places.

[@rnkp_des]

3:27 I watch this video before sleep, I freaked out by that laugh, tho.🙃

[@alyssas4898]

Hi Dani- question for the Q&A: what are your thoughts about getting carnivorous plants to help keep the occasional mealy bug in check?

[@andymundie6894]

You are awesome. How do you get as many flowers as possible out of a regular dendrobium nobile ? When do you start to feed dendrobium nobile after winter rest? Thanks Danny ❤❤❤

[@Peterrdee]

I currently have a SLC. Costal Sunrise ‘Kingfisher’ Am/Aos and it’s lasted a long time, she’s gorgeous and got her from a very fast growing hybrid cutting

[@Peterrdee]

The bloom is a salmon pink colour with a darker peachy lip

[@bekm2010]

Love your videos ❤

[@ericavilanova13]

For the barrina question, they sell them in different sizes and quantities. You can buy less amount. They have packs of 8,6,4

[@jadest6831]

Hey Danni! Love you videos! Could you please explain how you fertilise and water a neofinetia in a mound set up? How do you stop the algae? Thanks in advance!!!!!!

[@Małgorzata-y9u]

Hi Danny! Because of U I have no savings, but I have over 200 orchids :) A very big Thanks , I love them :) Here's my question: what is right: repot orchid while reblooming and I see the roots are not ok or wait with reporting after the orchid will fade to not loose the flowers

[@ZhuLiMoon]

Hi Danny! Of all my phals, I have 3 that didn't produce flower spikes this year. They bloomed in previous years, and have more leaves and roots than before. All of them receive regular watering, good light and fertilizer. The potting medium is in good condition. They seem very healthy and there is no sign of anything wrong. What might be the reason for an orchid to skip a year of blooming? Thank you, I really appreciate your videos!

[@lynn-annpapacostas1216]

hi Danny thank you for your videos.. how do you get rid of gnats in orchid pots and do they cause funguses or even other diseases in orchids?

[@m3msilva]

Thank you for your Q&A video. Your Mini Mark looks amazing. I just can't get mine to grow, its grows but dies back. Recently it started growing 3 flower spikes and a new leaf then the flower spikes started yellowing. Ugh! Its the one orchid I can't get to grow well.

[@Carol-l5r]

I just bought a Mini Mark a month ago, it was delivered in a 1” pot. Such a mess root rot 😂 I had to repot it in a 2” pot with vents. It is very small plant with its first 2 stems. I’m hoping it will grow but I will not be surprised if it doesn’t make it. I hope yours grows and finally blooms 😊. Carol

[@erelyful]

That sounds frustrating as hell 😢 good luck

[@JAMESKAPPER]

Danny. I rescued a phalaenopsis with two spikes, a keiki on each, but no flowers. I repotted the mother plant and now have a robust plant. Now after three months each keiki has grown two aerial roots, a 12" spike of its own and each has four buds. I want to let the buds produce a flower before I plant the keikis so I can see what to expect from the mother plant. Should I let nature take its course or should I remove the keiki's spikes at some point? Jim

[@AnnBatten-cv2gk]

“Finally” found a scented orchid! Have 12 phalanopsis all very healthy. So excited about the “scented” that bought 4. Three died over time - have one left that is alive but struggling. My Q: Do “scented phalanopsis orchids” require different upkeep?

[@mayastoyanova3020]

Hi Danny, I posted this question in the comment section of a previous video but I'm reposting it here as well so it has better chances to be answered: my Cycnodes Wine Delight went from flower drop to new growth without going dormant and losing its leaves. Why is he doing this and can I help him go dormant by cutting water and fertilizer altogether? Also, I have a very young, single bulb Catasetum tenebrosum that began losing leaves. Do the young catasetum orchids “behave” as the adult ones? Do they too lose leaves and go dormant (meaning I have to stop water and fertilize him)?

[@shirleytaylor9267]

Hi Danny, thanks for doing the Q&A series, very helpful! My two-part question is hypothetical. If I had an orchid with too many mealybugs to easily treat using isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, am I putting the orchid at risk by spraying it with alcohol? Would I have to later shower the orchid to rinse off any remaining alcohol residue then blot the water off to prevent crown or stem rot? Thank you/

[@iBme-uBu]

Hello Shirley, I’d be very interested in a reply to this question too. I have that issue and have often wondered if the spray would be ok to use too instead of the cotton bud if the mealy bugs are hard to get at or if they have gotten out of hand a bit. I hope someone who has tried this and is an experienced orchid grower can give us some good advice. Carole.

[@erelyful]

Have you seen that grandpa with the orchid channel (Eds Orchids) who dunks his orchids in bleach water? 😮 he says he’s been doing that for years to kill bugs without issue 😂 idk it’s crazy, consider it if you’re desperate enough

[@shirleytaylor9267]

@@erelyful yikes, bleach water?? I haven't seen that channel but would be afraid to try something as caustic as bleach 🤪

[@JaniceSchuller]

My Keiki only has one root about 2” long. Can I plant it yet or should I wait for another root? Thanks, love your videos ❣️

[@dantebadua234]

Q & A : hi danny, may I ask what temperature is required to initiate blooms in heavily influenced novelty phals by poylchilos, like phal sweet memory ( 75% poylchilos)? What about the phal Salu peoker which is lower at 62%? Will it behave like a pure poylchilos orchid?

[@StaceyKitzmiller]

When should an orchid be fed? Before blooms open, after full bloom or after flowering?

[@candyvanduzer9589]

I have a mini Philanopsis. It is healthy, producing tons of roots but no flower spikes. It has bloomed for the last 2 years.

[@erelyful]

If it only grows foliage and no blooms it’s probably lack of light, try moving it to a brighter space or get a grow light

[@nancyk8153]

please make an updated new video care guide for Zygopetalum Orchids

[@barbrajacobs4560]

Hello Dannie Please can you tell me when to fertilize my Orchid. I follow you and all my Orchids are wonderful But I really don’t know when to Fertilize them Love your videos I think you are amazing Take Care special lady Yours B J x - x x

[@smithmen]

great help listening to these q&a's. is there a resource to reference to reliably determine which orchids require bright vs not so bright conditions and similar for humidity requirements?

[@JM-lo8xu]

Hiya Dani! On the last question in this video- the recent re-pot that lost its roots and leaves. Could this also stem from lack of feeding? I always figure store Phals have their old Sphagnum packed with chemicals and residue fertilizer, perhaps going into a clean medium it would be void of any fertilizers and would require the collector to start feeding the plants especially when the medium is new and has no food for the orchid

[@kristinedier7360]

Hello MissOrchidGril, I am a huge fan and you have helped me greatly into my addiction to orchids. I want to go to the orchid show in the Netherlands that you are able to buy orchids at. I saw one of your videos in which you have gone to one. What is the name of the show you went to or do you have suggestions on where I should go? Thank you.

[@eblake3617]

Hi Danny! If I left an open container of water on the shelf beside my orchids (cup, bowl, or re-purposed food container) would that help add humidity in the air for them?

[@patriciad333]

Dani: When do you give up on an orchid? I have a few that have never bloomed and no matter what I do they don't bloom or thrive. They take up space and I think I want to pitch them but feel bad ditching a living plant. I currently have 110 orchids in my collection. Thanks!

[@carolynprivitera1505]

Hi Danny, sometimes I order a variety of young orchids that come bare root. How do you prepare bare root plamts before potting? ❤

[@ConnieCade-is3mb]

How to manage limp, wilted Phalenopsis leaves. Is it caused just by root problems? Can they be rehydrated?

[@NargisMorsfield]

Thank you for all the knowledge sharing. I believe I have a Phaius. I’ve managed to kill one and the second is desperately holding on for dear life. Currently on a north side window with dapple light in a loose small bark mix. Please help.

[@deborahkreinbrink6701]

Just purchased 3 paphopedilumn on an orchid site. I’m so excited to try these. Alto they are small they are very healthy. Can you tell me a little bit about them? I have all my orchids in a South window and they do amazing. But this is my first time with this kind of orchid. I live Ohio, USA. We have change of seasons and my phaleonopsis grow and rebloom wonderfully. Is it ok to put my new ones in thesame light? It is filtered.

[@jenwestbrook1350]

I was wondering about the orchids you keep in cabinets. I haven't noticed any fans in your cabinets, even your video with tolumnia all in one cabinet. A lot of people setting up greenhouse cabinets put a pile of fans for circulation, as well as replacement shelves with holes. It seems like it isn't a problem because you don't seem to address it in a single video (and I've watched a lot of videos!!) I'm just setting up a milsbo for polychilos and don't want to mess it up!!

[@colleenb8500]

Thank you for the helpful videos! My question regards moving orchids. We have a cross country move coming up. My orchids will still be flowering during this move. Should I cut back all the flower spikes to protect them from breakage? What advice do you have for transporting orchids long distance?

[@ParrotplaySix]

Hi Danny. You were talking about roots growing outside of the pot in this video, and not to do anything about it. I plan on repotting my orchard that has a few roots grew outside in places that I will probably have to cut for the repot. They are in places that I don't think I can move for the repot. You said not to cut because of infection. What should I do?

[@Magpielox209]

Hi I’m just starting to take care of an orchid myself. Do you recommend any good mediums if I need to repot my orchid?

[@debracancelliere4081]

I saw on your last grow room tour you have 2 ft barrinas with 1ft barrinas all pushed together to have 4 solid rows across the width of your vittsjo shelf. How do you get it to fit so tightly together with the connecting cords that daisy chain it all together? I would love to copy your setup for my neverblooming catts and I already have 2 ft barrinas and the vittsjo. Please tell me your secret!!

[@PamirNag1989]

Do summer blooming orchids also need coold down for rebloom? If yes then what should be the temperature? Thank you.

[@jhjecko6446]

Hey Danni, when you flush an orchid is it best to soak it then run water through it (to dissolve the salts) or can you just run water through the pot?

[@davegrimstead8289]

Danny, is it best when trying to save a phal with just bare roots (no protective cover) to put the roots in just water OR in damp moss? Thanks❤

[@Sutsamadori97]

How to prevent croen rot when spraying orchids with insecticide?

[@MilesHov]

Ho danni I'm battling mealy bugs problem on my phals , I grow my phals under grow lights , the weird thing is they seem to be attacking my schillerianas. And leaving my other phals alone. Have you had that happened before ? Thank you

[@deniseschichner6876]

Is the vanilla orchid the only one that you can root from a leaf or stem?

[@MsLeneW]

Hi Danni, I have a question about my 10 year old store bought phal. It has long sword-like leaves and I am now wondering why it has that shape? It hasn’t had the best conditions with light and fertilizer (until I watched your videos). It has also always had a lot of those sugar droplets on the underside of the leaf - maybe it is connected?

[@shirleytaylor8529]

My orchid has grown a set of leaves at the middle of the flowering stem as if it wants to grow a new plant in the middle of the old flowered stem. How do I encourage this to become a new plant? When it's just hanging out there

[@TheKoffeeisCalling]

Can I repot my full grown orchid when it is time from its 8 inch pot back into its original 5 inch pot? The place where it is at now is the one place in my house the orchid grew and bloomed, but the window sill is not wide enough to really hold the entire 8 inch pot.

[@PetrHruska-no6wb]

Hi Danny :) Is it safe to use tobacco as an insecticide? My fried adviced me to take a cigarette, unwrap it, and make a water solution (amount of water was not specified). Then apply it everywhere with cotton swab.

[@saracarby1670]

I have a cattleya that bloomed last year, it's roots are great and we have a new pseudo bulb, but no flower! I see new bulbs starting at the base of two older bulbs. What can I expect re blooming? It receives 12 hours light daily from an led. Perhaps temp too low? Thanks for advice. It was a beautiful deep pink last year with two large flowers.

[@MrOllie716]

If my orchid is sprouting a ton (15!) aerial roots, does this mean it’s happy/healthy or is it trying to tell me it needs a new pot?

[@juliajones5912]

Hi, I’m new to growing orchids. I have 2 Phalaenopsis and have two questions, one for each. The first one is I trimmed it as you recommend. It did hibernate, grew a new leaf and is getting ready to flower. However, it is shorter now since it doesn’t grow from the top where it’s trimmed. How do I get it to grow taller? My other question is regarding aerial roots. I don’t have space for them to be growing all over. Is it ok to coax them back into the pot? Thanks!

[@erelyful]

I have a question… how many Phal flowers can I pollinate without issues? 😅 i.e. can I pollinate different flowers with different pollen and get a bunch of different seed pods? Is it not viable? How many are possible?

[@rebeccaulmer9167]

I know that phals are the typical “gateway drug” of the orchid world 😂, but are there certain orchids or types of orchids that you would recommend for a beginner who wants to dip their toe into the waters beyond phalaenopsis?

[@delynnKoetje]

I bought 2 phal’s that were kind of neglected in the store and was not blooming when purchased, well they both have buds coming, my question is can I repot without damaging the new bud stems?

[@marinami3929]

Hi Danny!! I have a question about water! Where i live, we have a really hard water and my orchids dont like it one bit long term. I have a turtle and i was wondering would using its (Reptosafe)drops for neutralizing water be safe for watering my orchids?

[@lorrainebonilla8052]

Hi! how can i remove an orchid attached to a tree thats grown very long ? Thank you!

[@lourdeszayas4827]

How frequently should I water my orchids?

[@wkmtca]

i had an orchid that fell over and broke its new flower stalk off. there is no hope of it growing a new one this year, is there?

[@karenbreeze1543]

I had a baby orchid develop on the flower spike of its mother. I left it on the spike, it's getting ready to bloom for the second time while the mother orchid is in bloom too. Can I continue leaving it on or would it be better to cut it and pot it up on its own?

[@jellycrackersmerch8221]

how long should I soak my orchid? how to get my orchid to flower again?

[@jhndr0nia]

Her videos are great to answer these questions. Just search for the orchid care for beginners series 😊

[@lauraelle3637]

Personal experience - hope this can help😊: no need to soak it for a long time. What's crucial is to provide good drainage and aeration for roots to thrive. Feed it regularly. To help it bloom, provide lower temperature at night + keep it on the drier side for a while (meaning, increase interval between watering) until flower spikes start peeking out. Good luck!! 😊

[@jellycrackersmerch8221]

thank you

[@kevinmyers5680]

When we are giving Phaleonopsis a cool down to induce blooming, how do we overcome them being cold and wet when we know they hate that?

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi, not sure if this question will make it in the video, so I will answer here. The cool down is not that cold to stress them out, no worries :))

[@ramonafrances4364]

Wouldn't it be useful for people to test water used to water orchids to see what nutrients and/or chemicals contained in it in order to provide the right balance of fertilizer?

[@iljaseklervl]

It is a good idea to get a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter to check salinity / hardness of water expressed as a ppm (parts per million) value and a pH meter to check acidity. These two cheap devices make orchid care so much simpler. If you use tap water to water non-terrestrial orchids, its ppm value in general should not exceed ~100 ppm and pH should be preferably between 6 and 7. If your tap water is hard and you stretch it with distilled water or rainwater to reduce salt concentration, please consider supplementing at least Magnesium (e. g. as Epsom salt) or even Calcium too - most of orchid fertilizers don't include these vital elements as they rely on abundant supply via tap water. If you have access to reverse osmosis water for your orchids, you will need to provide Calcium and Magnesium either via so-called CalMag solution or by using a special orchid fertilizer that already includes Ca + Mg like e. g. MSU fertilizer.

[@ramonafrances4364]

I love this. That is precisely what I was asking. Thanks ...👌

[@dancingdog8015]

Do you know where I can get Phal Chiada Francis Picotee?

[@patklinger9894]

my orchid is getting huge.. already in a 10 inch pot can i split it??

[@carolrutland5516]

how do you set up a room for orchids new beginner

[@PatchaXEtaw]

I live in Bulgaria and I don’t cool down Phalaenopsis. Like never. They just bloom.