HELP - Orchid Board

everyrosehasitsthorns · #1 09-07-2011, 08:35 PM

I got a orchid for a gift,it had several buds on it. When it fully bloomed the whole sprout was covered in blooms it was just beautiful,they eventually died and fell off which left me 4 large leaves and a stick. And slowly the sprout started turning black. Now the whole sprout fell off leaving me with 4large leaves. Is it just dying or do they normally do that?

Merlyn · #2 09-07-2011, 08:44 PM

That's called an inflorescence or spike and, yes, it's normal for it to die and fall off. When it's time again the plant will grow a new spike which will bud and bloom.

everyrosehasitsthorns · #3 09-07-2011, 09:44 PM

Thank you so much! I was worried I killed it. Are they hard to replant?

Merlyn · #4 09-07-2011, 10:24 PM

Not especially, but you might want to take it to a nursery that will repot it for you while you watch and learn. Or look up a local Orchid Society and I'm sure they can help you in many ways.

Bud · #5 09-07-2011, 11:45 PM

A picture would be nice, we can acertain the type of orchid you have( I am asuming a phalaenopsis ) if you decide to grow it and care for it; you have to read the culture some of the members here have posted and also what media you want to repot it in...BTW...Welcome and Hello! Youve come to the right place...we can help you take care of your plant.

camille1585 · #6 09-08-2011, 03:09 AM

Welcome to OB!

Repotting is not very difficult even for a beginner. You just need the right medium to pot it in, a little bit of advice and you're set to go. If you have some photos of your orchid (which I also assume is a Phalaenopsis) we can help you decide if it needs repotting now or not.

I'm going to move your question into a more appropriate forum (beginner discussion) where more people will see it as this section is for questions about the workings of the forum itself.

silken · #7 09-08-2011, 10:23 AM

It might be a good idea to slide the plant from it's pots and check the roots anyways. Many newly acquired orchids have a very wet ball of moss in the very centre of the root ball which retains too much moisture and causes rapid root rot. By just removing this and putting it back in it's pot could save its life if this happens to be the case with yours. This is most common with Phals so as mentioned above a photo of your orchid would be nice, even if the blooms are already gone. We can tell you what you have!

Merlyn · #8 09-08-2011, 10:47 AM

Don't you have to post 5 times before you can attach a pix ? Or is that on that OTHER forum ?

camille1585 · #9 09-08-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlyn

Don't you have to post 5 times before you can attach a pix ? Or is that on that OTHER forum ?

Nope, no limit to be able to post pics. I had a doubt, so went to have a look in the 'break the ice' forum to see if <5 post newbies can put up photos. They can.

Merlyn · #10 09-08-2011, 03:04 PM

That's good news, it must have been the OTHER forum !! Thanks, Camille !