Brand-New to Orchids - and a tragedy (fallen pot.. broken stem)! Pictures included.

[Judi]

Welcome to OB--what beautifully colored flowers! I agree that you are probably best off cutting below the duct tape and using cimmamon on the cut. You can also cut the removed spike a little above the break and place in a vase, hopefully you will be able to enjoy the blooms for a while.

[blondie1483]

Wow, you all are so wonderful - welcoming and full of knowledge! I came to the right place. Thanks, ALL of you!

Not five minutes ago, I did what you guided and used sterilized scissors, and cut below the duct tape. Actually, I tried unwrapping the tape first, and the flowering spike came off in my hand. Ugh. Depressing, but I did all my mourning yesterday. So now it's in a single-stem flower vase, haha, it's very sad but already during the day today the flowers had begun to wilt, so it was time to stop fooling myself, haha. (the accident happened last night) So we'll see what happens there.

The wound is cinnamon-covered, sounds delicious.. and now I will focus all my attentions on the four buds I have left!

I love the concern you give for the plant itself, I want to keep this for a very long time and I hope it's been cared for properly. I do not see any signs of rot, however I am concerned for the leaves:



The splitting isn't making me too happy. It's been that way since I got her. Thoughts?

Let me know if proper etiquette dictates I should put this issue in a new thread

Thanks again,
Christine

[blondie1483]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Hi Christine, I feel for you, I knocked my mini Phal off and snapped the flowering stem right off a while ago! I almost cried too!. I then did cut the flowering stem 1 cm above the next node, it has survived the fall and the rest of the stem has stayed green. Now I am just hoping it will send another shoot out.

Thanks, Fiona! I feel better - misery loves company I guess? Haha, no we can stick together and keep our fingers crossed!

I did find some other postings of similar issues as mine, so I'm hoping all goes well. You all help SO much.

[Judi]

To me the split in the leaf looks more like mechanical dammage than anything else. I wouldn't worry about it but do keep an eye on it just in case. It looks like the phal is planted in moss, if that's the case be very careful not to overwater it. I usually repot a chid when I get it home, especially if it comes from a grocery or box store because more often than not they are suffering some root rot. I would recommend doing so, but since the phal is probably somewhat stressed, you may want to wait until it is done flowering--unless you think it may have root rot. Also, make sure there is good drainage in the pot.

[Triffid]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Welcome to OB Blondie. This is a wonderful place to learn. I just started a year ago and I have learned so much. But with orchids, you can't stop with just one!

So true! "Please sir! May I have some more!"


And remember, if you have a question don't be afraid to ask.
I think I can safely speak for everyone by saying "We are all rooting for you here".

[blondie1483]

Originally Posted by Triffid

So true! "Please sir! May I have some more!"


And remember, if you have a question don't be afraid to ask.
I think I can safely speak for everyone by saying "We are all rooting for you here".

Haha Thanks! The Darling BF already offered to get me another new one. I didn't say no..

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by blondie1483

Haha Thanks! The Darling BF already offered to get me another new one. I didn't say no..

Cool.

Same thing applies. Always check the entire plant for anything that may look off or severely damaged.

Particularly the crown and the roots.

[RosieC]

Hi Christine and welcome to Orchid Board.

You've had some great advice already. I read only recently that someone got some flowers that had started to wilt on a broken stem to revive when put in a vase of water so there is a chance yours will too.

I dropped a new-ish Phal on the floor three times in a row a few months back, the last time was when I knocked it off with the hover while cleaning up the mess from the previous time I think your other buds should be OK, there is a chance they will suffer shock and loose them but mine carried on as if nothing had happened eve though the open flowers were physically damaged (those damaged flowers still stayed open for another month or so).

I agree with what you have been told about checking the health of the plant, but the split leaf is nothing to worry about in my opinion.

Oh an OB admin note, don't worry too much about whether you are asking in the wrong place. As one of the moderators I can say we are pretty relaxed. I sometimes move threads if I think they will get more answers somewhere else, or if they are in one of the alliance sections and it's the wrong alliance... but other wise it doesn't really matter too much. Only the other day someone pointed out that one of the threads I had started was in the wrong place, or should we say 'not the best place'. We try to keep OB as relaxed and friendly as possible, so just enjoy yourself

[Triffid]

Originally Posted by blondie1483

The Darling BF already offered to get me another new one. I didn't say no..

In that case he get's a "Top Bloke!" cheer from me!