Help! I’m an orchid newbie and my plant won’t stop growing!

[ArronOB]

My guess is a piece of ‘tortured willow’ (Salix matsudana) which florists often put into arrangements for dramatic effect.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by Kellsbells

What would people suggest I do in terms of pruning these back, along with the dead/wooden stems? Do people keep these as decorative additions or am I better to get rid of them? A couple of the dead stems go right into the roots and it was this way when I was given it.

I'm not totally clear on what you are referring to by "dead/wooden stems," but if you mean flower spikes that no longer have flowers on them and have dried up to a brown color, yes, you can certainly cut those off. Also, when you say "wooden stems," if you mean the long pieces of wood the grower would have put in the pot to tie the flower spike to as it grows, if those are no longer supporting a live flower spike, you can take those out, too. Doing those two things would probably be a good first step toward cleaning this plant up and seeing what you have there.

As Roberta mentioned, I too see a lot of local stores that have Phalaenopsis orchids that have other non-orchid plants included in the pot.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by ArronOB

My guess is a piece of ‘tortured willow’ (Salix matsudana) which florists often put into arrangements for dramatic effect.

Best guess award! Looks like corkscrew willow. Probably stuck in as part of the original arrangement and just grew roots. Willows are notoriously easy to root.

Bonus plant! You can get the willow out of the orchid roots, and plant in your yard this spring.

[Tango]

Just repot that willow to a proper place far away from your orchid

[Kellsbells]

Thanks @Fishmom, I think you nailed it! The florist I bought it from had added "decorative" branches and tied it to the stem and stake.... It was weird when leaves started flourishing and I couldn't understand if it was part of the orchid or not! I will repot and see if I can peel away this little hanger-on! Appreciate your help.

---------- Post added at 05:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:19 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

Ah-ha! I think fishmom may be onto something. It shouldn't be too difficult to trace one of those wild leafy growths back downward to its source to determine if it's something coming out from below the surface of the media. I will be totally flabbergasted if you tell us it is actually originating from the body of the Phalaenopsis somehow. Maybe you can gather up the supplies you need for a repot and solve the mystery.

Thanks Cheri, appreciate the help. I'll repot it this weekend and will give you an update but I think this sounds like the most likely outcome!

---------- Post added at 05:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:21 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Since it looks like the "interloper" is tied with a twine bow to the plant, I think that it was part of a decorative arrangement. Plants often get chosen for aesthetics to put in gift plants with Phals, with no thought as to whether they want similar conditions. If that's the case, the other plant is probably keeping the medium 'way too wet, so a good reason to repot (without it)

Thanks Roberta, that sounds like what has happened here so I'll repot it and hopefully my orchid will keep on trucking on!

---------- Post added at 05:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:23 PM ----------

Originally Posted by ArronOB

My guess is a piece of ‘tortured willow’ (Salix matsudana) which florists often put into arrangements for dramatic effect.

I just Googled it and I think you are bang on! Thank you!

---------- Post added at 05:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Best guess award! Looks like corkscrew willow. Probably stuck in as part of the original arrangement and just grew roots. Willows are notoriously easy to root.

Bonus plant! You can get the willow out of the orchid roots, and plant in your yard this spring.

Thanks for your help, hopefully I can remove the willow and give my orchid back its home without his little friend