Dear Orchid Doc:

I have a few Cymbidiums from “Whoppy killed Phillop” but they won’t bloom. Do you know anything about Cymbidiums that could help the situation? They look quite healthy otherwise and extremely fat with multiple shoots.

— Eunice

Dear Eunice:

The fact that your plants look quite healthy and have multiple shoots would suggest that you have the growing and fertilising aspect of it “down pat!”

However, not knowing what type of Cymbidium you have, I have to tell you that there are some that refuse to bloom in the warmer climates, but there are some hybrid types that are more tolerant of the heat and will therefore bloom in temperatures higher than 80°F.

The older types require a drop in temperature at nights of about 10 to 15°F before a spike will initiate, but when they do bloom they last a very long time. The hybrids, by the way, are usually very short, so it might be a good idea to send the plants up to the cooler areas for at least 30 days during the blooming season to initiate the bud. Best of luck!

Dear Orchid Doc:

The leaf of my Phalaenopsis is looking like someone took a nail and made small dents all over it, and the leaf is starting to get crooked. It tries to bloom, but that too is very crooked. Can you diagnose the problem please?

— Julia

Dear Julia

Sounds as if you have had that mite problem for some time now, so much so that it has turned the plant crooked.

There is an insecticide called Cure that will surely cure the problem. You will need to spray once per week for four to six weeks. After that you can treat every two weeks. Do take the precautionary measures.