I'm new here & confused! - Orchid Board

LIB · #1 12-12-2013, 10:22 AM

I've joined because I'm in love with orchids but really don't know squat.....not even sure I'm posting in the right place but I have a question.

I have 5 currently and all but one seems to be on vacation from blooming so I was so excited when one of them appeared to be presenting me with a great Christmas gift.....a bloom.

Well, the expected bloom has turned out to be new leaves. Is this plant confused or am I?

LIB

WaterWitchin · #2 12-12-2013, 10:33 AM

Welcome to the orchid board, LIB. You might try reposting this in the "beginner" section.

'tis likely your orchid knows what it's doing.

After you have five posts, you can put up a picture. What kind of orchids would be helpful info in your new post.

Tabbyblack13 · #3 12-12-2013, 10:37 AM

It could be a keiki. I would check for root rot because some orchids will produce then when they are at the end of their life.

If you can post pics that will help us. I'm also assuming that you have a phal since they are usually the first orchids people get. Look for the post "Phal abuse ends here". There is a lot of good info there.

Daethen · #4 12-12-2013, 10:38 AM

Don't get discouraged. The one thing that orchids will definitely teach you is patience. You need to do a little research on which orchids you have, what they need to thrive, and then figure out how to give it to them. After that they will reward you like crazy. Ask a lot of questions. You have found a great place with lots of helpful folk. We were all there once and would love to help you raise to our level of addiction. I have about 100 but lost about that many over the last year. Got a small greenhouse now and I am starting to get those rewards!

LIB · #5 12-12-2013, 11:06 AM

so much for the quick responses. Should I continue this inquiry in the Beginners section?

LIB

Tabbyblack13 · #6 12-12-2013, 11:19 AM

One of the monitors could move this over there if you want it there.

WaterWitchin · #7 12-12-2013, 11:25 AM

Wasn't meant to be offensive, LIB. Just thinking you might get more "views" there. It seems there's always more folks looking through that particular venue than others.

LIB · #8 12-12-2013, 11:29 AM

I've already moved the question to the Beginners List.

LIB

hagfish · #9 01-02-2014, 09:42 PM

From what I have seen, you are in the right place. This appears to be one of the major orchid discussion sites. I have grown orchids for 30 years as a hobbyist. Orchids are characterized by pseudobulbs. Think of the stem of an oak leaf swelling into a turnip. This is how most orchids store water. In many Orchids, the junction of the leaf and the "turnip" is where the flower is found. It is often enclosed in a sheath, a flat rounded structure like a short knife blade. It swells with flower buds and they eventually poke out the end. This is how Cattleyas flower. Other Orchids send up flower spikes from a small growth which often looks like a new pseudobulb forming. However, it soon forms a stalk and eventually flowers. The three types of orchids you are most likley to encounter are Cattleyas, Oncidiums and Dendrobiums. Oncidiums send up stalks while the other two usually flower on the top of mature pseudobulbs. Cattleyas always form bloom sheaths but not all of them produce flowers. Not flowering is common in very young or unhealthy cattleyas. The other two either flower or don't, but if the do, it will be very obvious.

Good luck.

Leafmite · #10 01-02-2014, 10:03 PM

Great to have you here!

Orchids are indeed a pretty neat. Hope you have fun here and find answers to all your questions.