Q My Cymbidiella rhodocheila seems mature, with three green pseudobuibs an one leafless backbulb. I grow it high in the greenhouse where it receives strong light along with my cattleyas but cannot get it to flower. Is it an infrequent or reluctant flowerer?

A First, the correct taxonomic name for your species is now Cymbidiella pardalina. Maybe when you talk to it you have been using the wrong name. Your plant is certainly of a mature size and I have seen various plants of a similar size being sold in bloom at a number of orchid shows over the past year or two. In Ari zona, you will receive more than adequate light, and this epiphyte from Madagascar should relish your conditions, as it is commonly found perched on Platycerium ferns in open country. Many better-grown specimens I have seen have been cultivated in baskets; you might try this for your plant but I doubt this will make the difference between flowers and no flowers. Maybe try keeping the plant dryer over the winter to see if this shocks it into flowering. Perhaps the cooler part of your greenhouse could be its environment for the winter months. — Andy Easton.