Byrnn, You have one of the Dendrobium orchids. You need to do a bit of digging on the internet (The American Orchid Society web site is a good starting place) to get some more detailed information about growing this thing.

To start with, the old canes you have in the pot are NOT ever going to bloom again. They are supplying nourishment storage for the new canes, which incidentally, you appear to have about three, appearing at the base of the old canes.

What you need to do now is give the plant lots of sunlight, water and fertilizer. to make the new canes grow large and healthy.

Just before the plant gets completely dry, soak it with water. Put the pot under a spigot and soak it, or flood it with a hose. Then let it get almost dry before you water it again. Use a water soluble fertilizer (30-10-10) at about half the recommended strength about twice a month while the plant is growing.

Now for the trick. There are two different kinds of Dendrobiums, and to get blooms on one of them you need to know which you have. When the plant last bloomed, where did the blooms come from?

If the blooms came from the top of the canes, and grew out on long arching stems, you have what we call a Dendrobium Phalaenopsis. The Den. Phals. will begin to bloom when the canes mature (stop putting out new leaves). Late in the summer when the canes look like they are going to stop putting out new leaves, stop feeding the plant Nitrogen, and shift to a balanced (10-10-10, or 5-5-5) fertilizer.

If the blooms came in little clusters from the joints of the canes, you have a "cane" type Dendrobium. Stop feeding these plants any fertilizer wen they stop growing, and don't water them as much. The plant will need a cool shock to set blooms. Leave the plant outside until the nights get down near the freezing point. They will actually stand some light frost. The leaves will drop off the canes, and the bare canes will bloom. Don't start the water/fertilizer back until you see new growth next year.

Have fun.

Bill

Wow! Bill! Thank you so much. This gives me a great starting point. I was just about to cut down all those stems....good to know they are doing something. I will check out that website too!!

The blooms came from the the top of the canes and grew on arching stems. The canes that are in the picture have looked that way since I got the plant. Really, it doesn't look much different from the day I got it in regards to growth. I cut the stem once the blooms fell and that's about the only change. I have this plant for a year. I will keep trying.

Thanks again! You helped me tons.

You have the easier of the two types to bloom. I can't tell for sure, but looks like 1 to 3 new growths starting at the base of the canes. That's where your emphasis needs to be. Grow those new canes to the max. to get lots of blooms. Have fun.

Bill

As Bill said, put it outside, water and fertilize. Those new, green growths will be your flowers this fall. Treat them well and you'll have blooms.

This plant needs good light (not full blazing sun, but very bright) and water until the water runs out the bottom of the pot. Do not cut those old canes. As Bill said, they support the newest growths (coming from their base).

You should do well in your climate.

http://aos.org/Default.aspx?id=215

Jane