Hello, new to orchids. - Orchid Board

otterb22 · #1 11-17-2008, 09:39 AM

Hello,
I recieved an orchid for Mothers Day and it was beautiful. All the flowers are gone and I don't know what to do with the 2 empty stems. Can anyone tell me do I cut them? Leave them ? cut below some place on the stem? I'm totally confused. Also should I repot? or fertilize? Thanks and hope I can navigate here as I'm new to computers also.
Otterb

camille1585 · #2 11-17-2008, 09:50 AM

Welocome to Orchidboard!
About cutting the spent flower spikes, it depends what kind of orchid it is. Is it a Phalaenopsis, with large oval leaves? In any case, if the spikes are yellowing or dried up, you can cut them off near the base of the plant.
Once we know what type of orchid it is, we can help you with your questions. Any

?

magicatt · #3 11-17-2008, 10:17 AM

Welcome otter!! Did the plant come with a name tag? or like camille said pictures would really help us to help you. Enjoy the orchid board, everyone is really helpful.

dounoharm · #4 11-17-2008, 01:20 PM

hello otter! i think you might have a phal...if so, and if the blossoms have all fallen off, i suggest cutting the stem they were on about halfway and hopefully it will sprout out with another blooming stem....this takes a lot of time, so dont get discouraged! fertilize about once a month during the winter and twice a month during the summer....

Chubidubi · #5 11-17-2008, 09:47 PM

Otterb

to the Orchidboard

Satinrose_BC · #6 11-17-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otterb22

Hello,
I recieved an orchid for Mothers Day and it was beautiful. All the flowers are gone and I don't know what to do with the 2 empty stems. Can anyone tell me do I cut them? Leave them ? cut below some place on the stem? I'm totally confused. Also should I repot? or fertilize? Thanks and hope I can navigate here as I'm new to computers also.
Otterb

I am sure you will enjoy the orchid board and soon be buying your next orchid. It can be very addictive to say the least. I only have 6 but when my last one stops flowering ........well I will be out shopping for number 7. I just love to read the post and see what people are doing with orchids......there is so many ways to enjoy them.

otterb22 · #7 11-20-2008, 02:29 AM

Thank you for the help. Hope this gets to
Camille 1585 and the others who responded. My orchid has leaves that have points on the ends. The stake in the pot just says White Moon 34717 . I went out and bought another one just to watch them bloom again and the new one is a Phalaenopsis with the numbe 784413 and it has beautiful purple/white flowers. Thanks again and I think I'm hooked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Welocome to Orchidboard!
About cutting the spent flower spikes, it depends what kind of orchid it is. Is it a Phalaenopsis, with large oval leaves? In any case, if the spikes are yellowing or dried up, you can cut them off near the base of the plant.
Once we know what type of orchid it is, we can help you with your questions. Any

?

Lilavati · #8 11-20-2008, 09:22 AM

White Moon sounds like a Phal . . . do your new one and your old one have similar leaves? What's the condition of the spikes on the old one . . . are they still green and alive or shiveled and dead?

otterb22 · #9 11-20-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilavati

White Moon sounds like a Phal . . . do your new one and your old one have similar leaves? What's the condition of the spikes on the old one . . . are they still green and alive or shiveled and dead?

Hi and thank you for responding to my cry for help. The one I got for Mothers Day has a slimmer and a more pointed leaf. The one I just got has rounder and much fuller leaves. You probably are right and I am not that sure about the leaves. The stalk that the flowers were on is dead. I cut in about half way down but I can see the stalk is hollow. I want to know what to do to the new one when the flowers die, if I should cut them down right away after all the flowers are gone or wait until the stalk dies down like the old one. Again thank you for your help and have a great Holiday Season.

Lilavati · #10 11-20-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otterb22

Hi and thank you for responding to my cry for help. The one I got for Mothers Day has a slimmer and a more pointed leaf. The one I just got has rounder and much fuller leaves. You probably are right and I am not that sure about the leaves. The stalk that the flowers were on is dead. I cut in about half way down but I can see the stalk is hollow. I want to know what to do to the new one when the flowers die, if I should cut them down right away after all the flowers are gone or wait until the stalk dies down like the old one. Again thank you for your help and have a great Holiday Season.

Well, if you could send us a picture of the plants, it would help. But with Phals, if the stalk still seems to be alive, just cut it back to a node (thickened spot) near the base of the spike and it may rebloom. Some other orchids will rebloom off the same spike as well, but most will not. With Phals its always important to note if that spike is still alive.

Does the slimmer leaved orchid grow upwards, with its leaves laying over each other one and a time, or does it sprawl all over its pot with leaves coming up from the potting mix?