phal.with possible dieing branch, please help! - Orchid Board

suzanne.g · #1 05-22-2009, 08:40 AM

ok so this is my first orchid, the roots are strong and healthy there are two stems, one is doing fine and has two healthy flowers on it but the other is withering and has lost the two flowers it had, pictures are included her so you can better advise me but i am not sure what to do about this stem, should i just trim it. I have repotted this plant from it's orriginal pot and it is doing well other then this stem.

camille1585 · #2 05-22-2009, 09:03 AM

Since you say that the plant is healthy, then there's nothing to worry about.

Once a spike loses it's blooms, it either stays green awhile (and sometimes grows a side spike or keiki,) or the spike dies right away, which is what is happening with yours. You can just cut it off at the base, since it won't do anything else now.
Nice blooms, it's a pretty orchid!

RosieC · #3 05-22-2009, 12:18 PM

I agree with Camille, if the plant is otherwise healthy then it's nothing to worry about.

Cut the spike as low down as you can without damaging the plant.

I have cut them off even if they have not died off, but many people like to leave them to see if a side spike will grow.

If it's dead though you always want to cut it off.