Non-flowering Phalaenopsis

Question

I have a mature Phalaenopsis Dyak Pedito that produces a prodigious amount of keikis but few flowers. It grows under lights, is fertilized once per week and has many neighbors in the phalaenopsis family that bloom well. Any suggestions? —P.J. Hatcher

Phalaenopsis hybrids initiate inflorescences in response to cool fall nights and shortening day length. Photo © 2009 Greg Allikas

Answer

There are several reasons that this may be occurring, the foremost being that you simply have a plant that is a shy bloomer owing to its genetics. You may be over-fertilizing for this particular plant, or it may not be getting enough light. Phalaenopsis (previously known as Doritis) require slightly more light than typical Phalaenopsis. —Ned Nash