help. Please - Orchid Board

flowerlover2013 · #1 10-15-2013, 03:35 PM

so my orchid is loosing its flowers and it has three branches off the main stem. it also has new little nubs. do i clip it when the final flowers have fallen or do i wait?.... and if i do clip it, where? its my first orchid and i dont want it to die. Please sany advise will help.

RandomGemini · #2 10-15-2013, 03:40 PM

They are supposed to lose their flowers. They don't stay in bloom forever.

Clip the spike (the branch the flowers grow on is called a spike) as close to the stem (this is the part of the plant where the leaves grow out of. They form a stem at their center that looks kind of like a braid.) as possible when all the flowers drop and the spike turns brown and dries out.

kindrag23 · #3 10-15-2013, 03:41 PM

, Can you post a picture and what is the name of the orchid. Some orchid stems you can cut to the next node on the spike and it will re bloom possibly from there. oh and WELCOME!

since you have posted five times now you can post pictures!

Oh and beware orchiditis is addicting and catching!!!

cbuchman · #4 10-15-2013, 03:42 PM

I'm assuming that it is a Phalaenopsis . You can clip the flower spike when all the flowers are done. Or you can wait to see if it will produce more branching. However, flowers take energy and the plant may produce smaller flowers as the spike continues to branch. If you cut the branch down, the orchid will grow a new one when it has sufficient energy and the conditions are right (light, water, temps, etc.) which could be in a few weeks or a few months or even up to a year.

Optimist · #5 10-15-2013, 04:37 PM

I think it would depend on the type of plant because some bloom all at once and some bloom one after the other. I have some small or young phals that have blooms and a bunch of mini spikes coming off the main spike that will become flowers so when my old flowers fade I do not plan on cutting the spike. If I was having problems with the leaves or the roots, I would cut the spike so all the energy could go into the roots/leaves. I figure if all is well, more flowers are not a problem.

If you wait, it will not die, unless there are other problems. The stem left over will just brown and die on its own-- in other words the plant will tell you when it is time to cut. I would say "if in doubt, don't cut it."

james mickelso · #6 10-17-2013, 05:57 AM

Sounds like a phal and the floers are done. But it also sounds like a second blooming of the main spike. Being a new addict....er....orchid collector, My opinion is to cut off the flower spike , read the thread at the top of this page called "The phal abuse ends here", and learn how to care for this plant correctly. Flowering takes a lot of energy and unless you give the plant the correct culture, the flowering will quickly send this plant spiraling to it's demise. Welcome to orchidboard.