so this is the wonderful world of orchids

[kimberlyflack]

Wow. I am looking forward to getting some orchid support here! This is great. I've been "lurking" just reading posts and hoping they answer my questions, but I've got some of my own now that maybe you all could lend your expertise to. So, I have 2 dendrobiums and 1 phal. I got my first dendrobium about a year and a half ago. It was given to me by a friend, not in bloom - I thought it was just another house plant. Then, I got curious...or rather I had some spare time on my hands after about 6 months and started delving into orchids - discovering they could bloom for a really long time! Well, as if by wishful thinking vibes, the more I researched and learned (and put the dend. by the window), without doing anything else, the plant suddenly had a huge spike with several blooms on it. A couple of weeks later I was watering it and some how putting it back up in the window sill, caught the spike on the curtain and it snapped off except for 4 blossoms. It kept its blossoms from August 20 - Dec. 23. It was amazing! After loosing its blooms, It sprouted 2 more spikes not far apart from each other. But guess what: my husband accidentally snapped off the most developed spike (except for 2 blooms). I cried when I saw it. The other spike wasn't really putting any blooms on, just kind of sitting there.

Should I cut off the rest of the more developed spike and see if it will channel any energy into the other spikes? Should I cut off both spikes and let the plant bulk up some more? Should I just leave the spikes how they are and enjoy the two blooms that will come in? I don't know what to do!

Also, I just got my phal a couple of months ago. I bought it discounted because one of the underneath leaves was all yellow and dying - it fell off a few days later. Since then, it seems like it's been spreading to the other two leaves (even though the first leaf has since fallen off) I thought I was getting water on the leaves or leaving them in the window sill when it was too cold at night or something, so I've been extra careful the past few weeks with those areas, but it still seems to be progressing to the other leaves. What am I doing wrong!???

[FinnBar]

I'm not experienced with Dens so unfortunately i can't help with that but Stop snapping spikes!

the phal sounds like one i got as a present in the fall..
I'd check up the condition of the roots. most likely it's been overwatered and the roots have rotted.

to the forum!

Antti

[bodaciousbonsai]

What kind of dendrobium is it. Cause I have a handful of species of dens. They are mostly in winter rest right now,but should bloom in the spring from the leafless canes. As far as the Phal. I would take it out of the pot if roots are rotted, you could try putting it in a ziplock bag with sphagnum moss, But be sure to cut off the old roots and treat with cinnanom or a fungicide. cut slits in the side of the bags for air exchange.

[kimberlyflack]

Thank you so much. I will try that with the Phal today - I'll have to get back to you on the kind of dendrobium. thanks!

[Tindomul]

I agree with the advice given so far for the Phal.
The Dendrobium will most likely continue to bloom until it decides to stop all on its own. I personally would not cut the half spikes. I would simply continue doing what you have been doing so far, as it sounds like you have been doing the right thing for this plant.
Welcome to the Orchid Board. Glad you decided to join.

[Ross]

Welcome to the board, and I agree with the others "stop snapping off the spikes"! Once can be excused, we've all done it (that's once per plant ) but twice on same plant - you 2 should be ashamed

I also agree that you should NOT snip off any partial spike (or the remains of the accident) until the plant shucks it on its own.

[bodaciousbonsai]

Originally Posted by kimberlyflack

Thank you so much. I will try that with the Phal today - I'll have to get back to you on the kind of dendrobium. thanks!

I also wanted to comment on how wet you keep the moss in the ziplock bag. What I do is, squeeze the moss under water then let the moss suck in only what it can hold. Wich is usually 10 times its own weight. Then give it alittle extra squeeze just to make it right. All your trying to do is create a 90%-100% humidity area. not soaked with water. check everyweek to see if it could use a spray or not. dont fertilize, & make sure you cut 3 to 4" inch strips in the bag for air exchange. Ive broughten back many, many. rootless orchids back this way.

[kimberlyflack]

Thank you all so much! Late last night I repotted my phal. in 90% medium fir bark, 10% mixed. I would post pictures of the roots, but I'm at work right now. The moss was still soaked from my last watering 3 days ago, so I'm sure the root rot idea is a probable cause. A few of the stronger roots looked very good (plump, greenish-white) the rest of them were not doing so hot so I removed the casing surrounding the roots (don't know what those are called). The plant is in bloom right now (original blooms from the store) and is putting out three more new buds. Hopefully it will be happy!

Thanks again! This has all been extremely insightful and I LOVE the Orchid board!

-Kimberly

[cb977]

Hi Kimberly
Welcome to Orchidboard

I'm happy to see your new friends have helped you already You'll find the folks here at OB to be the friendliest, most knowledgeable and wonderfully generous people around!

One of the "great debates" in our world is that of "should I or shouldn't I cut down the inflorescense (spike) when my phal drops it's blooms"? Some folks say let it stay around until it truns brown by itself and you might get a second round of blooms from it. Others, such as myself, would rather cut down the spike when the blooms are gone to allow the plant to concentrate on growing. The second round of blooms aren't usually as striking as the first ones were.

This is all part of growing orchids...read all you can and then do what works for you in your growing conditions.

I'm happy to have you with us...if you have any questions, let us know