Hello all

Hi ivan, welcome to the forum!

All in all, your plants look pretty healthy to me. A full 15 min soak sounds like it could potentially be too much, though that's highly dependent on your other circumstances. The goal with a phalaenopsis should be for it to approach, but never reach, dryness. Even if the top is dry, it could potentially be quite wet below the surface. You should be able to see if things are drying out with the one you have in a clear container but you can also tell by picking up the plant and seeing how heavy it is. As I said, though, your plants appear to be doing ok from what I can see in the pictures.

Your problems with getting them to flower are probably from one of two things.

Not enough light: you want quite bright indirect light. Your phalaenopsis doesn't want to be exposed to a lot of direct sunlight, but it won't flower if kept too dark. If you don't have them sitting near a bright (no north facing) window, this could be part of the problem.

No cold snap: blooming in phalaenopsis is initiated by a 10 day or so cold snap, perhaps 10 to 15 degrees colder than the plant is used to. We're not talking sub-zero temps here, just meaningfully cooler than usual. Depending on where you're located, this can be accomplished by placing the plant on a protected porch or outside protected from the sun and rain. Phalaenopsis will not appreciate cold temperatures (I wouldn't push them below the upper 50s), so be conscious of the weather. In some locales you could place them near a bright window in a basement or something as well. This cold snap would typically be provided in the November/December-ish time frame, but may still work now with your ikea hybrids.

Be aware that when it's colder your plants will need less water. It's easier to overwater orchids than under!

Good luck!

 

In NYC it's probably great to keep them outside in the summer! You'll want to be conscious of the weather, but once winter is truly done and nights are in the 50s, they'll love the fresh air. Just protect them from the sun and the rain (they love rainwater, but it's probably better for you to control how much of it they get).

Phalaenopsis don't need super bright light, but bright light by orchid standards is higher than by human standards. If you think about what it's like to go outside after being in even a very bright apartment youll see the difference. Phalaenopsis like medium-ish bright light by outside standards. Kind of edge-of-the-woods, not deep-woods and definitely not open plain, if you get my drift.

Just as with the light, orchids "think" in outside standards about temperature. Phalaenopsis hybrids from the stores are warm growing, which is why they generally do just fine in apartments. The cold snap is the tricky part. If your nights are in the 60s outside, it might be enough to initiate blooming, but it may already be too late for this year. I'd put 'em outside either way. They may not bloom, but they'll prob love it.

Just remember: no rain, no direct sun and no cold. If the weather drops back down near the 40s at night, bring 'em in!!

 

One additions caveat (there's always another caveat with orchids!): NYC summers can get HOT. I think phals will tolerate the heat of a NY summer - the hybrids are hardy and come from rather hot places. Other growers more knowledgeable than I may be able to confirm this.

However, keep in mind that you'll need to water more frequently in the heat. Also, if you decide to try other orchids, you may need to reconsider the whole idea of outside in the summer. Many orchids would fry quickly in the heat.

It's a complex (and fun!) game. I'd encourage you to research and experiment and accept that as you explore you're likely to lose some when you make the wrong turn. It's all part of the fun!

 

Welcome. You must be doing something right to have kept them alive for a year! As stated above make some minor changes and blooms will follow.

In your photos it looks like the plants are working on new leaves. In the right conditions your plants will bloom later in the year. As with most phalaenopsis plants they need a cool period to trigger flower production. My plants spent last summer outdoors (we get over 100F most years) and my plants are watered 1-2 times a day; and they stay outside in the early fall until nighttime lows drop to the low 50s. Then brought into the house and sat on a northwest facing windowsill over winter. I am now being rewarded with blooms for the first time.

You will find what works for you.