Should orchids be rotated? Or not?

[BillieG]

I read somewhere online that orchids should never be rotated. The article suggested you put the tag in the front of the plant and that way you will know how to place it back in the same position after watering. It stated that orchids do not like rotation.

I just watered my orchids, and I wondered if that was true. I always thought plants should be rotated, and I have not heard of this before. I am interested whether there is any merit to rotating, or not rotating.

[jcec1]

When they are in bud, if you rotate them, then the display maybe a bit haphazard, by not rotating them ensures that the blooms will face the same way and you end up with a better display.

[Lady Oscar]

Is there any reason not to rotate the plant temporarily after it is fully bloomed but before it starts in on leaves again? I have a phal that is currently "looking out the window" and I'd like to enjoy the blooms from indoors.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Lady Oscar

Is there any reason not to rotate the plant temporarily after it is fully bloomed but before it starts in on leaves again? I have a phal that is currently "looking out the window" and I'd like to enjoy the blooms from indoors.

Once all the blooms are open, they don't really move that much, so yes you can turn it around to enjoy the blooms, rather than your passers by.

[Subrosa]

If I rotate my mounted orchids they won't get light half of the time.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

If I rotate my mounted orchids they won't get light half of the time.

Sure they will. But they'll be upside-down.

[fishmom]

I think it must depend on the growth habit of the plant. An excellent grower in my area has a plant that has won major awards at the Pacific Orchid Expo. I can't for the life of me remember what it is, but it is growing in a basket and has formed what is essentially an entire ball around the basket. She rotates it daily to insure that when it blooms, the blossoms will cover the entire ball.

Granted, this is in a greenhouse that gets light from more than one direction, so the light changes are not as abrupt as they would be if the plant were on a windowsill.

[rbarata]

I always rotate my den nobile so that the new canes grow more vertically. I believe there's no problem if you rotate them gradually.

[silken]

I think the rule of not rotating really applies to when it is in spike. Flowers can get turned around and upside down in their search for the light. Once they fully bloom I bring them into the house and turn them whatever way looks the nicest for me to enjoy.

As for when they are just growing new growths, they get moved depending on time of year. I don't pay attention to orientation except sometimes I try to make sure the new growths are not badly shaded by other plants or a wall or something.

[Keiki Paste]

If I remember correctly, if you stake a phalaenopsis flower spike early, and make sure to not rotate it, you will gain that elegant cascade effect. For what it's worth...