To encourage my reblooming, you must first understand my natural growth cycle and provide conditions that mimic my ideal environment. I am a complex organism with specific needs for light, temperature, water, and nutrients. Fulfilling these needs tells me it is an appropriate time to channel my energy away from mere survival and into the magnificent effort of reproduction—producing flowers.
As a photosynthetic organism, light is my primary energy source. To gather enough energy to produce a flower spike, I require bright, indirect light. My leaves should be a healthy, medium green color. If they are dark green, I am likely not receiving enough light and will focus only on leaf growth. If they are yellowish or have a reddish tinge, the light is too intense and is damaging my photosynthetic machinery. An east-facing window is often perfect, or a south/west window with a sheer curtain. I need this high-quality light for most of the day to manufacture the sugars necessary for blooming.
Many of my type, particularly the popular Den. nobile and related hybrids, require a distinct temperature drop to initiate flower spikes. This seasonal change signals the end of the growing season and the start of the reproductive period. In autumn, you should expose me to nighttime temperatures between 50-60°F (10-15°C) for several weeks, while keeping daytime temperatures slightly warmer. This differential is a critical environmental trigger. Without this clear signal, I may simply continue producing vegetative growths (keikis) instead of flowers. Reduce watering slightly during this period to mimic a drier season.
My water and nutrient needs change with my growth phase. During my active growth period in spring and summer, water me thoroughly when my potting medium is nearly dry and feed me with a balanced, water-soluble orchid fertilizer every other week. This supports the development of strong new canes (pseudobulbs). However, after my growth matures in late autumn, you must reduce watering and stop fertilizing entirely. This brief rest period, combined with cooler temperatures, is essential for me to transition my energy from growth to blooming. Once you see a new flower spike emerging, you can gradually resume normal watering, but hold off on fertilizer until after I have finished blooming.
My ability to bloom is directly tied to the health of my root system. I am an epiphyte, meaning I naturally grow on trees with my roots exposed to air. I require a very well-draining potting medium, such as large-chunk bark, and a pot with excellent drainage. Soggy, decomposed media will suffocate my roots, leading to rot. A compromised root system cannot effectively absorb water and nutrients, leaving me in a state of stress where blooming is impossible. Repot me every two to three years, or when the medium breaks down, to ensure my roots have the aerated environment they need to support a spectacular bloom.
