Flowers but no leaves

[JacquieB2]

Over the years I have been given about 8 beautiful orchids that live in my conservatory - almost constantly they are all laden with the most beautiful blooms but the leaves are not growing at the same rate - how do I rectify this - I have one with 27 blooms on it but it only has 2 tiny leaves? All input gratefully received

[RosieC]

Hi Jacquie and welcome to orchid board.

What type of orchids do you have, do you know. If not are you able to post any pictures of them as that will help us at least identify the genus as different orchids need different care.

As you are in the UK I could guess that they are phals, but dens, cyms and even some oncidiums are also easily available over here.

Whatever sort they are it sounds like they are putting energy into flowering rather than growing. With Phals there is a way to force new flowers (to cut the spike in a certain place to get it to create a new branch of the spike). Doing this can cause a plant to actually bloom it's self to death as it forces it to flower when it should be growing and storing energy.

You say 'over the years', it's unusual for any orchid to flower continuously for more than 3 months, although some do keep adding new flowers to then ends of spikes (and I've had a phal hold the SAME flowers for 6 months). If you are worried it might be worth removing the spikes to give the plants chance to grow, all orchids can create new spikes if you remove the flower spike.

[JacquieB2]

Thank you for your response - hate to have to confess it but haven't a clue what they are!! Also apart from not knowing much about orchids I also cannot work out how to post a picture!! I will have a trawl around the internet and see if I can find a picture that resembles mine........the continuous flowering is actually when one dies back another one is ready to come out! They are so spectacular people think they are silk and when they find out they are real they want to know how I get them like that and I have to say that it's more luck than judgment! They get a little water if it's hot, a little feed when I remember and a whole lot of compliments when I tell them how pretty they are!!

[RosieC]

Take a look in my signature for some help on posting pics.

You say "a little water if it's hot" but that raises the question how much do you water. Most orchids like plenty of water BUT also air around the roots. Sometimes people mistakenly think they don't want much water.

It's usually a case of watering well, draining well, then waiting till they dry out and repeating. How often that is, and how 'dry' is dry depends on the type of orchid.

It makes me start wondering if the flowering is actually a stress reaction. Stressed plants (not just orchids) will often try to reproduce and flowering is part of that. It's just a thought though and I could be wrong about that.

[JacquieB2]

Thanks again Rosie - my orchids are phaleanopsis - not sure I've spelled that right, thank you for the advice, I will try giving them more water, can I ask you another question? the roots that come out the side (not down into the pot) sometimes turn into flower shoots and the others just wave about in the air - how do I know the difference and what am I supposed to do with the wavey ones? Sorry I am so totally ignorant about these beautiful flowers

[Wynn Dee13]

Roots don't turn into flower spikes. A spike or a root can grow from the same area of the plant. Many orchids grow roots into the air. They are usually called aerial roots. There isn't really a difference between the aerial roots and the roots growing in the meadium but it is a way to distinguish between the two. It is normal. Phalaenopsis orchids naturally grow on trees with their roots exposed in the wild. Just leave the roots that are growing into the air alone. You should wet them when you water the plant though. You also should mist them in between waterings especially if they start to shrivel or it gets warm or the humidity is low. Alot of aerial roots could mean the plants are outgrowing their pots but maybe not. This is where pics would help. When the root or new flower spike start to grow it can be difficult to know what it is until it gets bigger. Of course only spikes are going to produce flowers. The roots have a green tip and are usually silver or white when dry and then turn green when wet. The spike won't have a green tip and wont be silver or white. It will also grow up towards the light.

I recommend you read some information on Phalaenopsis orchids to learn how to take care of them better. How long have you had them? How often do they grow new leaves? Do they grow new roots on a regular basis? Are the leaves firm or droopy? Does each plant ever take a break after flowering or are they in bloom constantly? Have you ever repotted them? Sorry about all the questions but I want to help you so you don't lose your beautiful orchids! Please try and post some pictures so we can see the condition they are in. Like Rosie mentioned Phals can bloom themselves to death. They will also bloom when they think they are dying to have one last chance to reproduce.

You need to water them on a regular bases. Water them well until the meadium is wet, let the pots drain well, and then let them dry out between waterings. Phals like quite a bit of water so don't let them go too long dry. When you water don't let water sit in the crown or the leaf axils. This can cause crown rot. What are they potted in? Bark, moss? There is a thread called The Phal Abuse Ends Here and it has a lot of great information. It is long but worth reading. Also look online for Phalaenopsis culture. I will be looking forward to some pics! Here is the link to the Phal Abuse Ends Here thread. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

I almost forgot, to Orchid Board! I'm glad you found us! You are going to love it here!

[RosieC]

[JacquieB2]

Thank you so much Wynn and Rosie, I have just printed out your letter Wynn so I can sit - look at them carefully - tell them I love them - and then attempt to answer your questions! Will come back to you later
many thanks for caring
Jacquie

[camille1585]

In response to your original post, now knowing that they are Phals, they don't grow many leaves each year. Phals usually make 1 or 2 leaves a year, sometimes 3. And they often shed the same number from the bottom, so they remain with a pretty stable number of leaves. I have a healthy Phal which never has more than 3 leaves.

Pics would be great, they would help us assess how healthy your plants are!

[JacquieB2]

Thank you Camille - haven't even managed to take photos yet - and as for getting them uploaded - will need help!

Jacquie