These two are my first Phalaenopsis orchids I got about one year ago.
Like pretty much all of my other orchids, both phal and other types, I saved them from the trash for 1€ and then cared for them properly.
I will do another post soon once they're in full bloom, with a small guide on what I've learnt so far.
One thing I noticed is that they look way cooler imo when you just let them do their thing. I apparently really just don't like the way they are forced to grow when you buy them.
In nature, they attach themselves to tree trunks meters above ground and grow sideways.
Ever killed an orchid by spilling water on the crown? Too bad. Where they grow in nature, this happens daily, and they like it!
When they grow upright like we force them to, water can't flow anywhere and they get crown rot.
I don't rotate them and they search their way to the sun to suck up every juicy delicious photon. That way they get enough energy to bloom like crazy!
Oh, and when we speak about blooming. Flower spikes. Why the hell should I stake them?
Again, most orchids available grow on trees. Not in grass. They have literally ZERO reason to grow upright like they do in supermarkets.
They just grow towards light. Sure, you can force them again with wooden sticks to grow just like EVERY other stupid flower on this planet. But WHY would you?
They have this natural grace and the individual flowers grow in a beautiful arch downwards.
Orchids in general are just so cool and I find them even cooler when they can play out their amazing characteristics!
I've got one of those that never blooms, but it's a beautiful bit of green. I assume there's some pH or nutrient reason.
Some phals need a slight temperature drop or photoperiod shift to bloom. Most supermarket orchids, yours most probably included, are ultra complex hybrids that are everblooming and don't care much about that. Still, it might help.
The most obvious reason they don't bloom tho is a lack of sunlight. Blooming costs A LOT of energy and doesn't give the plant anything back. Give it LOTS of diffused light.
People (most often the seller itself) say they don't need much light, but that's total BS. They might survive, but not thrive.
Mine are usually behind a shear curtain (blocks half the light and diffuses it) on a SW window. VERY bright.
IMPORTANT:
They will quickly adapt to the new lighting conditions.
Show me a few pics of yours. Include some pictures of the roots and the leaves please, so I can help you troubleshoot.
Nutrients are usually not the primary issue. But they might. If they are, you'll (or I) see it by the looks.
We did pick it up from a fancier florist, so it wasn't a $10 supermarket special. That probably doesn't change your point, though, god knows what its parentage is.
We give it the sunniest spot in the house already (south-facing window, with morning light up til about 1pm because winter), and it's filtered through a double-pane insulated window, and it's winter during the doldrums of the year, so it's probably the lowest light it'll get through the year.
The temperature thing is a good point. Maybe I just crack the window a bit so it gets some cold? It drops to about 5C right now.
I'll get some pictures if I think about it when I'm home later. =p It has been throwing off a bunch of roots and the leaves are pretty healthy-looking.