@drdawg I have a question about orchid care. At what temp should I bring them in this year? I read that they push blooms when the night temps drop and there's more of a difference between night and day temps. I only have three (1 a window plant and 2 I pretty much leave outside). They are always "happy" and healthy, but even with fertilizing, they never bloom regularly. I am wondering if it is a temperature issue since our nighttime temps are never really "low" other than winter. Any advice?

P.s. my Maikai Mayumi has put off so many new leaves and is looking perfectly content.

Also, separately, how is your plumeria 'Valerie Irene' doing this year?

@JamesAcclaims, I've grown birds of paradise (strelitzea reginae) for years and have never once gotten any to flower in pots. Those I have in the ground, tho, bloom like mad!

There are people down here with potted plants that flower. I have seen then. I just keep my fingers crossed that one of these days I'll get lucky. Mine are not quite of mature blooming age, but should be soon. The strange thing is that I have read in multiple places that they don't prefer to bloom unless they're rootbound or close to. What better way to get snug roots than in a pot? Just makes no sense why they won't bloom.

I need to cut Miss Valerie. She's been in bloom all summer and I enjoy the blooms so much, I just couldn't bring myself to cutting. But she's pretty much done so now is the time to cut the inflo. and take a cutting or two. Same with Jack's Compact Yellow. He's at the end of blooming and I need to start some rooting some cuttings. I have quite a few rooted cuttings, all of which are under 3' tall. I have been so busy getting orchids ready to ship Tuesday that I just haven't had time to even think about the plumeria. In fact, I needed to water all the plumeria this afternoon, but instead, brought in 28 orchids to prepare for shipping. I will definitely water in the early AM though.

I bring my orchids in when the night temperatures begin to get into the low 60's. Most of my orchids will handle even (brief) lows near 40 F and perhaps even lower, but I have so many to bring in and it takes several days to do so. Thus, I like to start a little bit early so I have plenty of time. My GH thermostats are set at 60F. Those in the solarium won't see lows lower than around 68 F.

James, the short answer to both of your questions may be root bound. Both plants prefer crowed conditions to bloom. As to temps, I let my orchids get down to 50 in the greenhouse, and the outdoor ones only go in if temps are pushing frost.

28 orchids brought in for shipping?! Holy cow you are a busy man, Ken! I was actually looking at your Mari's Song 'CTM 217' earlier. What a beautiful bloom!

So should I bring them in when the nighttime lows match the average low in my house so as to keep them the same temp. or should I leave them outside a little longer to give them time to "get cool"?

I'll t-mail you about your plans for Valerie My 'princess pink' that you were interested in is ending it's bloom, and is growing 2 new branches. It is such a vigorous grower. I'll have to take a fairly large, multi tip cutting off of it when I move in the beginning of next year, so if you are interested, I'll keep you posted

Carol, my bird of paradise are pretty bound in their pots. I'm thinking it is just an age issue on my end, but they seem to just not prefer blooming in pots for some reason. Do you have bird of paradise in pots that bloom for you?

I had several birds, three varieties, when I lived on the Gulf Coast and they were all in pots. They all bloomed profusely. I can't imagine why y'all can't bloom them, growing in pots.

I only have the one in the ground. It was blooming in a 2 ga. nursery pot when I bought it. The best looking ones I have seen blooming are all in crowded spaces with lots of root competition.

I have 1 pot that has 4 plants in it and there is definitely not much root space. Maybe one day.

Hmmm I didn't realize that there was a chat like this in the Adenium
Forum. @Aashna hope you are doing well and your adeniums and non-Adenium plants are thriving!

Some of the latest I'm growing:

@KauaiKathy @HollsofPlants this is in the Adenium forum but you can post non adenium photos in this thread!

@KauaiKathy @HollsofPlants
this is in the Adenium forum but you can post non adenium photos in this thread!

Looking great!!!