Natural Flower Death? - Orchid Board

Blondie · #1 06-11-2007, 09:29 PM

Hello, all. I am hoping to gather some information about my Brassia Summer Wind. I bought it 2 weeks ago from an orchid greenhouse and it had 4 flowers already open. It has since bloomed all the way (11 flowers) and it's beautiful! I have read about 10 books on care for orchids, but the one thing I can never find information about is the natural death of the flowers. So I have some questions:

1. Do you let the flowers wilt and fall off or do you deadhead them?

2. I was going to attach a picture, but it's not online. Basically, the flowers are turning a dark orange from the original green w/ spots. The spots kind of look like red pen on paper when the paper gets wet on the dying blooms... Does this sound like natural death to you?

Aha! Figured it out. Here's the pic:

3. I have a new spike coming up. Is it normal for some blooms to die on one spike while another spike is growing at the same time?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I also have a paph bellatilum. It's tiny and is growing a little bud.

Charles · #2 06-11-2007, 10:05 PM

Unfortunately, the flowers will die off and fall off all by themselves. Most people will let the stem brown and dry out, the plant will draw from it. When it is dead, use sterile (rubbing alcohol does well) cutters to trim it off as close as you can safely get to viable tissue. Put some cinnamon on the cut end to "heal" the open wound and ward off infection.
But for now, enjoy your blooms. Congratulations.

Lagoon · #3 06-11-2007, 10:07 PM

Hi Blondie, Thats' a beauty!!!

Sounds like your doing well with it and it's doing well for you. New spikes are normal, Congrats on that

If the flowers get wilted enough they will just fall off anyways - that's what I allow them to do anyways. Deadhead if you want. Then just cut off the spike when the show is over.

Welcome to the forum!

OrchidTess · #4 06-11-2007, 10:11 PM

1. Do you let the flowers wilt and fall off or do you deadhead them? You can do either.

2. I was going to attach a picture, but it's not online. Basically, the flowers are turning a dark orange from the original green w/ spots. The spots kind of look like red pen on paper when the paper gets wet on the dying blooms... Does this sound like natural death to you? Yes, thats exactly what their doing... turning with age.
3. I have a new spike coming up. Is it normal for some blooms to die on one spike while another spike is growing at the same time? Yes
And Charles gave you some good advice also. Enjoy your blooms as he said!

puddin · #5 06-11-2007, 10:52 PM

Hello! Beautiful blooms! I've been wanting one of those plants for a long time! I haven't found one when I can afford it though. On your questions, the plant in my opinion is doing what it's supposed to do, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of the time I let the blooms fall off, then some I take off. The plant is fine either way.

dave b · #6 06-11-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin

Hello! Beautiful blooms! I've been wanting one of those plants for a long time! I haven't found one when I can afford it though. On your questions, the plant in my opinion is doing what it's supposed to do, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of the time I let the blooms fall off, then some I take off. The plant is fine either way.

What is your avatar a pic of? Fish tank?

Blondie · #7 06-11-2007, 11:09 PM

Oh, thank you!! Whew! I thought I was maybe killing it. I'm glad to know this is just part of the life cycle.

You have all been very helpful. Puddin--I got this brassia for $27. I'm not sure if that is a good price or not since I'm new to the orchid world.

As a thank you for your help, here's a pic of my other baby (paph bellatilum):