What to do after the bloom

[bouch113]

Hello,

My name is Alaina, I'm new to Orchids & this board. I have a Hard Cane Dendrobium & a Miltassia = Miltonia x Brassia, from what I'm told lol. They are both at the end of their bloom; the Miltassia's flowers are starting to wilt & the stem is turning yellow & the dendrobium's flowers are dropping (1 left barely hanging on) but the stem is still green. My question is, do I cut the stems back, leave them alone, not sure what to do from here? Will they bloom again this year or just once a year.

Thanks in advance,
Alaina.. Daytona Beach, FL

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

With the Miltasia cut back the spike. It won't flower again.

If the Dendrobium has a spike coming out of the cane then also cut that away as it won't flower again. Be careful that you are not cutting the cane though (not all Dens have long spikes). If you are not sure then post a pic and we should be able to help.

[bouch113]

Hi Rosie,

Thank you so much for the reply I've attached a few pictures & thanks again for your help. Ever since I bought these a few months back, I'm a nervous wreck about killing them in some way I've also attached pictures of them when I first bought them(the last 2)

Alaina

[dounoharm]

hi alaina, you will be fine in cutting back the flowering stem, once they are done flowering thats it for a while....the miltassia blooms off new growth, so as long as your plant is making new psuedobulbs, it will flower for you normally....the dendrobium can bloom off the old canes, so dont try to remove the cane itself, just the flowering stem....i used to live in daytona, and they have a nice orchid society that meets once a month there...call the city of daytona or the library to see when they meet and join them, you will love the knowledge they share! gl growing, and buy more orchids!

[RosieC]

On the dendrobium you can see that the flower spike comes out of the cane, the cane being the part with leaves (although they can loose them and still be worth keeping). Cut the spike as close to the cane as you can without damaging the leaves or cane.

[bouch113]

Thanks Rosie & dounoharm, All the flowers are off & the stems are yellow. I'm still nervous about cutting them Attached is the dendrobium that was previously cut before I bought it. Is that the correct place to cut it where its cut in the picture? It looks died, will that bloom again or not? Do I cut the miltassia close to its leaves too? The miltassia grew another spike & its starting to open
Thanks again for all your help.
Alaina

[RosieC]

Yes, cut the spike close to the leaves in the picture. That spike won't bloom again.

I would do something similar with the Miltassia as well.

[bouch113]

What will happen to the green leave part where the stem comes out of? will that die off also or will that just stay there & not bloom? I'll just have these green leaves after they've all bloomed once? Do you remove it since its done? I'll only get blooms when it grows new leaves?

Thanks again Rosie for all your help

[RosieC]

The green leaves are on what we call a Cane. This is the tall hard stem that holds the leaves. As far as I know the word cane is only used in conjunction with Dendrobium orchids but I could be wrong.

This type of Dendrobium can grow new flower spikes from the older canes. I have one flowering for the third time off a particular cane.

Even if it does not flower again the cane is a store of energy for the dendrobium. Even when they loose all leaves they will be storing energy. It won't grow new leaves, but it is essential for the health of the Dendrobium to have several mature canes.

Eventually after several years the old canes may completely dry up and then they can be removed. But by then it should have more younger canes to give the plant the energy it needs.

[bouch113]

One more question Is it normal for them to have a wrinkley look to them?
Alaina