Trimming Orchid Before Flowers Drop?
 

Hello! This is my first post, though I have read and read the forums in fits of orchid fever!

My question is, I have a phal which is like my Audrey II. It's always been super big and super healthy. Each year it puts out two spikes full of flowers.

This year was no different, it's had its two flower spikes, full of blooms, for a couple months now.

But recently I noticed the leaves were looking kind of peaked-- the green looks a lot lighter (as if preparing to go to yellow, though none have gone that far) and the leaves don't seem as turgid. I've looked over all the roots, nothing seems amiss, everything is green and fat. No fungus, I can't see anything that looks like rot. The center-most leaves actually seem fine, just the outer three look weak.

I wondered if I should cut the flowers to let the plant recover? I've searched all over and everything says to cut after the orchid has dropped its blooms but the flowers show no signs of even wilting- so they aren't going anywhere on their own anytime soon.

Any advice? Should I leave the flowers and just let nature do its thing? Should I prune back the flowers?

Thank you so much!

Hello! Welcome!

If you could upload a photo, that would be very helpful. Keep in mind that leaves get old and die. It's hard to tell if that's the case without one.

What are you growing it in as far as media? You might also consider taking it out of the pot and inspecting the roots. I do it even when the plants in bloom and it doesn't hurt it. Just be gentle. That's really the BEST way to identify a problem.

Welcome to Orchid Board :welcome:

If you need help posting photos, take a look at the links in my signature.

Hello! Thank you for the replies, I'll see what I can do about getting a picture!

In response to HighSeas, the orchid is in moss- but I've let it grow quite feral and there are a TON (over a dozen) of crazy air roots growing out all over. Those are all silvery green and happy.

Thanks again everyone, I'll try to get a photo to post.

You may also be constrained in your ability to post pictures by the number of posts you have done. My memory is certainly faulty but I think the magic number is 5? A moderator would be able to answer that. If I am wrong please accept my apologies.

Yes, the magic number is five. Go find a few photos of some orchids that look neat and give someone a compliment on their nice flower, then come back here and post the photo once your post count reaches five.

Healthy arial roots does not necessarily mean healthy roots in the sphagnum moss. So I agree with above, see if you can gently slip the orchid out of its pot to inspect the roots. Also look at the condition of the moss. Sphag doesn't last forever. After a while it compacts and turns mushy - yo need lots of air for your roots in the pot too :)