Confused re: potting mix & light

[meganreaux]

I am currently on my second try with orchids-- the first was a disaster for many reasons, but that's another story for another day. I have three phalaenopsis orchids, all of which are booming right now. My question is about the first two I bought. Orchid A is a huge phalaenopsis with one spike with three or four branches of flowers and has been potted in moss. Last week all of the flowers finished opening and it is absolutely beautiful. Orchid B is smaller with one branch of a few flowers and is potted in what appears to be a bark mixture. The bottom 3 or 4 flowers on orchid B dropped off but the top 3 are doing well. Orchid B lives in a shaded south window in my bathroom and is growing a new leaf. The problem is that orchid A doesn't have any new growth. I was concerned that it has been holding too much water, so I just repotted it it a mixture of moss and orchid mix with rocks, bark, etc. The leaves on both orchids look great-- they are standing up on their own. That's a long explanation for two real questions:

1) Is orchid A not making new leaves because of the stress of having upwards of 25 flowers? Or is it because the shaded south window is a better environment than the east window?
2) Did I make a mistake repotting orchid A in a different medium?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ChasWG]

Personally, I don't care for the moss stuff. Each of my orchids that came in that stuff all had some sort of rot on the roots. Some more than others, but all with some. The plants that I have gotten that were in a bark mixture all had a fine root system. So I like the bark mix better.

As for the leaves not growing on one and growing on the other: Who knows, maybe the other plant is in better physical shape? Maybe it likes that South window? Maybe the one not growing is busy with the flower thing and not wanting to put out more leaves right now? Maybe it's putting down new roots?

There are all sorts of reasons why or why not some plants do what they do. Generally plants either spend energy on flowers, roots or leaves. But not usually all at the same time. It's kind of like why you dead head roses. So you get more blooms and not a bunch of rose hips.

Just this morning I finally clipped off a flower spike that was continueing to grow after all the flowers had popped off. The reason I did it is because the root system is not doing all that well (one of the ones that came in moss). I want the plant to put it's energy into growing new roots and then new leaves and then next year a new spike for next year's flowers.

i hope that helps some.

[camille1585]

Usually phals either bloom or grow, not both at once. There are some phals though that don't follow that 'rule' and do what they want. As long as the plant is healthy, there is nothing to worry about! Usually once the blooms all fall off the plant goes into a period of active growth, putting out new leaves and roots.

[meganreaux]

Thanks for the input. It restored my confidence.

[RosieC]

I agree with Camille, one of mine will grow and flower at the same time, but the other two only ever do one or the other, never both.

If Orchid A is putting on a big display of flowers I would not worry about it not growing just now, give it some time and enjoy the flowers.

Like Chas I'm not a fan of Moss and if you are worried about too much water than more bark in the mix should help with that.

[learning2letgo]

I have four phalaenopsis in my collection and I have three in a moss/bark mixture and one is growing in chunked coconut husks. The one in the medium sized coconut husks has the largest root structure and leaves, so once the smaller three are finished blooming, I will repot them in the same medium.

When my largest phalaenopsis ends it blooming cycle (it currently has two spikes in prolific bloom), I am going to cut the spike and force it to rebloom. It is a rather large plant and is probably in the area of 5 to 6 years old. I posted a thread recently about Grand Speciment Phalaenopsis and if you look at it, you'll see how large this phal is!

I find that every orchid I have, even in the same species responds differently as Camille suggested some do and I would venture to guess yours are doing likewise. Just let them do their thing unless you notice their thing isn't benefiting the plant

[quiltergal]

A lot of how a plant grows and blooms has to do with the species plants in it's background. Phal. equestris for example is an excellent little multi-tasker. Mine is currently growing a new leaf, new roots, 2 Keikis, and sending up 2 new spikes. That's just what it does. I tried to force it to take a rest by cutting off a spent spike but a couple of weeks later it sent 2 new ones up in it's place. Guess it showed me! Others will only do one thing at a time. If your plants have names I can give you a run down of the species in their respective backgrounds.

[Sandy4453]

Camille took the words right out of my mouth. It's usually blooming time, growing time or, semi-resting time. I have a couple in bloom that are growing leaves but, slower than they would, if not in bloom. They don't always have to show signs of growth to be healthy and happy. All in due time. And, bottom leaves will eventually turn yellow, limp and fall which is to be expected.

[Ray]

Magan,

Generally speaking, the only mistake you (may have) made was repotting a plant in bloom. Some plants view that as being stressful, so dump their blossoms and resume growing roots to get better established.

As to what is the right medium, this might help: Choosing Potting Media