Sherry Baby...... normal??

[princessbydezine]

Hi everyone. I bought this sherry baby from home depot about 2 weeks ago. I bought it before it bloomed and has since been flowering. Upon getting it home I noticed that it had another spike (YYYAAAAHHHHOOO). The new spike is getting very long and I think might start blooming after the other is done. Today while watering it I noticed a third spike....yes a third. I am sooo excited about this and was wondering if this is normal.

Also this one is planted in moss, I want to replant it as it kinda smells funky but dont know if i should hold off till the flowers are all gone or what. And I attached a pic of one of the leaves that has a brown patchy spot on it.... Im not sure what that is.


Any feedback would be WONDERFUL as this is my first orchid of this type.

Ange

[kimstwin]

Your plant must have more than one mature bulb at a time. If you have say, two bulbs that mature at the same time, then you can have two flower spikes.

As far as replanting, you might want to wait until the plant finishes blooming, unless you feel it's an absolute emergency. My sharry baby is pretty tolerant of whatever I do to her.

As for the moss, I don't know your conditions, but I don't leave anything in moss. It stays far too wet in my conditions.

I'm not good with pests, fungus, etc...so I have no idea what the brown spot is. I'm sure a more knowledgable person will be along shortly.

My sharry baby is my favorite orchid that I own! Enjoy yours and happy growing.

[moogiemama]

My "Sharry Baby" produces multiple spikes, usually in succession so its bloom time lasts several months. Consider yourself very lucky! Not really sure about the brown spot but I've had leaves that just stayed that way with no ill effect to the plant. If it continues to deteriorate, I'd cut it off and discard. I never like when they pack the plants with moss. What I'd do is GENTLY lift the plant from the pot and examine the roots. If they appear healthy and white, replace it in the pot. However, if it smells decayed and the roots are brown/soft & mushy, it is best to clean off the old medium, remove the old roots (hopefully there will still be healthy ones) and pot it up with fresh medium. My thoughts are it's better to lose the flowers than the entire plant! By the way, IF the plant has lost all its roots (and it will surely die), I would take it back to Home Depot and either get a replacement, a refund or store credit which you can use when thy get another shipment of fresh orchids. - Lynn

[quiltergal]

That moss may just be a top dressing to keep the humidity up around the roots. See if you can peel it up and check to see if there is bark underneath. If not and it's solid moss and it smells bad, it's time to repot. I don't think it will bother your maturing spikes any, but you may lose a few flowers from the bloomed out spike. Better to lose a few flowers than the whole plant.

[princessbydezine]

I looked today and its just moss... so I guess I will repot it today. Bad news is when I was looking at it I broke off the third and newest spike

[moogiemama]

Awww... too bad about the 3rd spike. Just be really careful if repotting.

[Paul]

Looks like a good-sized plant ya got there. Are those perforations on the side of the pot?

Bummer about the 3rd spike. They do seem to break easily when young and tender.

[dave b]

Originally Posted by princessbydezine

I looked today and its just moss... so I guess I will repot it today. Bad news is when I was looking at it I broke off the third and newest spike

If the large brown spot is dry (looks like it is), just leave it. If its a soft mushy brown and grows, cut the leaf. Could be a burn spot, possibly a fungus / rust. The brown spotting on your leaves is also common on Sherry Baby. Watch getting water on the leaves, as this increases fungal growths, and maintain good air movement.

[princessbydezine]

The pot only has holes on the bottom... I need to get a new pot I think.... can this go in a clay pot the ones that are made for Orchids?

The spot on the leave is dry... So I guess it's fine to leave it be.