I thought that Orchidioides did better with cooler temperatures. Or is the flowering dependent on seasonal cues like changing light levels?
Short answer: yes.
Longer, opinionated version:
- Yes - Orchidioides tend to grow well in cooler temps but there is variability as some come from low elevations. Also, just because extra-cool temps slowed down seasonal flowering, doesn't mean they don't 'like' it.
- Seasonal cues - this is more complicated. Some of these plants grow near the equator so their seasonal triggers are likely weak. In my basement, I haven't changed the timing on the lights for years (got lazy) so the main cue they get is temperature. Most of the species still flower for me - however, the following have never flowered in my basement:
- U. reniformis**
- U. cornigera
- U. 'Jitka'
- U. geminiloba
- U. longifolia (not Orchidioides)**
- U. praelonga (not Orchidioides)**
The ones with ** flowered when I moved them to an east-facing windowsill where they experience both seasonal temp & light changes. I suspect (but don't
really know) that even the plants that have flowered in the basement would benefit (become more regular) when exposed to more seasonal cues (ie: lighting & possibly watering). U. humboldtii refused to flower in my basement for many years but bloomed in the spring after I placed a plant on the windowsill. The next year, however, other divisions flowered in the basement & have regularly flowered since then. As an aside, the 1st U. humboldtii stalk in the basement was over 4 feet high with more than 10 flowers (iirc) - pretty crazy.
To continue experimenting, when I consolidate my plants into one grow area in my basement, I plan to hook the lights up to an astro timer set to S. Florida latitude. I'm curious to see if this makes any difference (w/ Utrics or Neps).