Q 1 have numerous Brassia plants (among them Brassia Rex) that refuse to bloom. They are lovely, well-grown plants, being green with fat pseudobulbs. I do not believe they are overfertilized because my phalaenopsis, miltonias and cattieyas flower well. Have you any suggestions? I am proposing to build a greenhouse in my back yard and unfortunately the yard behind me, which is the direction it will face (south) has a dusk to dawn light. I have taken light measurements and maybe have as much as 100 foot candles of light coming from that light source. Are you aware of what amount of light is inhibitory to flower initiation? If not, do you know a source where I can look it up? Thanks so much for your assistance.

A  Possibly several factors have interacted to give you problems with your brassias. A statement you made about green fat pseudobulbs leads me to think that your brassias have been living well, maybe too well. As a genus, they seem to need a fairly harsh over-wintering, which should include lowered night temperatures, brighter light, and reduced nitrogen and raised potassium levels. In other words, you must force them into a reproductive (flowering) cycle. Conditions that suit miltoniopsis and phalaenopsis are too shaded for brassias and even cattleyas are less demanding in their winter light requirements. It's time those pesky brassias got to know who is boss and some spartan growing conditions are called for. I do not believe light at a strength of 100 foot-candles is going to cause you any problems. One could say that if it did your cattleyas in particular would be negatively impacted. —Andy Easton.