Blooms fell off now what?

[turtleamy]

I've never actually had an orchid make it this far, which I credit getting a nice healthy one from the local orchid store.

Is it time to do a repot? Do I need to change lighting at all? How often do I fertlize now?

[WhiteRabbit]

Do you know what type of orchid it is, or can you post pix?

[The Orchid Boy]

If it is a phalaenopsis or moth orchid, you could repot it now. Same lighting, start fertilizing lightly, but as WhiteRabbit said, more info and picture would be helpful.

[turtleamy]

I took some photos but unfortunately can't find the cord to download to my computer.

It is a phal, the tag says Dtps, Green Field Sweet Valentine. The spike is approximately 17" high, and is still a nice green color. So I don't think I need to cut the spike. It sits in a clear pot, so I can see a couple of root that need to be trimmed.

[james mickelso]

Your phal is going to rest for awhile. I would cut the spike back to the second node (swelling on the spike from the plant) on the spike. Give it good medium light, water sparingly, and keep it warm iof you can. Above 55 or 60 degrees. Don't give it much water. It is growing very slowly right now. When it starts to grow a new flower or leaf, then water it a little more. Right now it needs warmth, and light. That's all unless you want to sing to it. Phals like soft jazz.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by turtleamy

I took some photos but unfortunately can't find the cord to download to my computer.

It is a phal, the tag says Dtps, Green Field Sweet Valentine. The spike is approximately 17" high, and is still a nice green color. So I don't think I need to cut the spike. It sits in a clear pot, so I can see a couple of root that need to be trimmed.

Dtps stands for Doritanopsis which is a cross of Phalaenopsis and Doritis. However the only species in Doritis has since been re-classified as a Phalaenopsis.

So basically your orchid is a Phal and can be grown and cared for as a Phal.

You can either cut the spike or not as you please. I prefer to cut them because the old spikes produce less flowers than a new one and they look ugly while they are empty. If the spike is not dry then you can leave it if you want, as it could produce new flowers and even a keiki.

I still water my plants on the same basis all year, however that is not a fixed schedule or a fixed amount of water. I water when the roots show me they need it, when the medium dries and the roots turn silvery. In the summer that happens far more quickly than in the winter, so they get less water in the winter naturally.