Question
QUESTION: I have a moth orchid that I have been taking care of for about 3 years. When I first got it, there were buds on the spike which bloomed, and once those blooms died and fell off, the spike turned brown and dried up. I cut the spike close to the base of the orchid.

Since then, the orchid grows 2-3 new leaves each year usually during summer (the old leaves fall off), as well as growing new roots. However, I have no luck in having a new spike grow so that my orchid may bloom again.

I water my orchid once a week during winter/fall. During the summer I will water it once a week plus spraying the leaves often since the weather is warm. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

ANSWER: Diana, you did not mention feeding.  Two suggestions:  1) increase the light levels, especially if the leaves are a dark green, 2) feed the plant with 1/2 tsp per gallon of water.  Feed the plant with a high phosphorous plant food (high middle number such as 10/30/10) every other week starting in January and until it blooms.

If you haven't repotted the plant, consider repotting in a standard orchid potting mix and a pot with lots of drainage holes.  New leaves should be as large as or larger than those they replace. It is generally recommended that phalaenopsis be repotted after each flowering. Unlike many house plants, orchids need a potting mix that drains well so it is much coarser than regular potting mix. In the wild, phalaenopsis grow in a humid environment with some of the roots exposed to air.  The ideal is to grow them as close to these conditions as possible so specially prepared orchid potting mix is designed to help achieve this.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, I didn't mention feeding because I have been neglecting to feed it! I have orchid fertilizer that is 30/10/10. The middle number is not high however, so should I purchase another fertilizer, or can I continue to use this one?

I have just repotted my orchid, it was growing so much that it was about to fall out of the pot! It was originally potted in bark, so I used the same for repotting. The leaves are a medium green, it is right next to the window and I live in Montreal (Canada), so it is winter now and there is not much sun. I try to leave the light on for it when possible.

I will start feeding it as per your suggestion and will hopefully i will  have some good news in a few months!

Answer
Several other ideas:  Keep your plant warm (above 65 degrees).  Supplemental lighting will help to provide enough lighting-- especially on those dark and dreary days.  Put your supplemental lighting on a timer as some of the phalaenopsis are day length sensitive.  This time of year I set my lights at about 13 hours and increase it by an hour a day every other month.  The plant may set buds during the short days for blooming as the day length increses.