Beginner questions about a Cattleya and Phalaenopsis

[JenMorri88]

Can you please tell me whether it is necessary to cut off peduncles from orchids (when the flowers have already faded), and if necessary, at what point, and whether to process the cut with something?

[JenMorri88]

Hello everyone! Cracks formed on the bulb at the Cattleya. Seemingly dry. Is it dangerous? Can Phalaenopsis be kept on a sunny south window? can you help me!

[JenMorri88]

My phalaenopsis has roots coming out of the pot, what should I do with them - leave them as they are? and Phalaenopsis's buds are drying up! Why can this be? Maybe he is cold? I'm sad, I don't know what to do ...

[camille1585]

Hi Jenmorri88, I have moved your post to it's own thread so that people are more likely to see it, especially as it is about a very different topic than the thread it was originally in. Please let me know if you prefer a different thread title.

As to your question, what type of orchid are you talking about? Is the spike still green, or brown and dead? Anything dead can be snipped off. For still green spikes, it can depend on the type of orchid and your personal preferences. Some orchids will continue to produce more buds from the tip of the bloomless spike, some can be cut back part way to encourage a secondary spike.

[WaterWitchin]

JenMorri88... I moved the one question Camille had moved, plus two more of your questions to their own thread. You will get better responses asking your questions directly, than to tag onto someone else's thread, unless your question is specifically related to the same type of orchid and/or problem with it.

---------- Post added at 01:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:24 PM ----------

First off... Welcome to Orchid Board! There are a lot of folks here who can help you in answering your questions. And sometimes we need to ask more questions before we can give a good answer to yours.

Phalaeonopsis (Phal for short) likes shade, as in no real direct sunlight on the leaves. So if it's in a south window and receiving direct sunlight you may want to move it back a bit.

Phals are notorious for aerial roots. Sometimes there's a reason (like poor potting medium) and sometimes they just do it and are fine.

Temperature range for Phals runs around 60F nighttime low, to 85F daytime high. Anywhere in there won't bother it, but they do like to be on the warmer side.

Could be numerous reasons for buds dropping: watering too little, sudden change in temperatures, getting a new one in bud and having them blast because you're now growing it in different conditions than it was in before.

Cracks in a cattleya... we'll probably need to look at a picture of it to know what you're talking about. Some folks can't post until they have five posts, so if you can't upload a photo, do two more short posts and you should be able to proceed.

[rbarata]

I don't want to add nothing more except welcome you, Jen.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board! You can learn about your plants here.

Cattleya pseudobulbs cracking - do you mean the skin splits? Or do you mean very deep wrinkles with skin intact? Photos would help. Most people can include photos after their 5th post.

Phalaenopsis are low light orchids. They grow and flower better with no sun on their leaves. If you put your hand between the window and the plant, there should be an indistinct shadow.

Other orchids, like many Cattleyas, will do well in a sunny window, but they may burn if moved from a shadier spot to the sun. A lot of people put a sheer curtain between the window and the plants, or train a fan on the plants to carry heat off the leaves. And remember winter sun is not as intense as summer sun.

You can read about growing Phals here on Orchid Board. From the left yellow menu choose Forums, then Beginners. Near the top find a sticky thread, The Phal abuse stops here. There is also a Cattleya forum.

[early]

Originally Posted by JenMorri88

My phalaenopsis has roots coming out of the pot, what should I do with them - leave them as they are? and Phalaenopsis's buds are drying up! Why can this be? Maybe he is cold? I'm sad, I don't know what to do ...

Jen, the roots coming out of the pot are called air roots and you do not have to do anything about them. How long have you had your phalaenopsis? did you buy it with orchid blooms and buds? I have never had buds dry up. But have read here it may be what they call bud blast. Tell us about where you live, the temp in the room, and I have read here some south sun in the winter especially in the morning is good for phalaenopsis but never in the summer because it will cause root burn and other problems. Ray, one of our experienced growers and writers here, has detailed information on Phals. Also I think Roberta, SouthPark and many others have years and years of experience in orchids and very helpful to new growers. Don't be sad, your Phal is probably fine. Ask question about potting new to you Phals, type of Medium to use in the pot, also don't keep the roots of the orchid wet. depending on where you live and your climate, the medium drys slower or faster. Wet roots cause root rot. when watering never get water in the crown *center of leaves) it will damage it. If you accidently do, dry it the best you can with a q tip and paper towel. ASK away. I have been growing orchids for about 18 months with good sucess from coming and asking for advice here. I got so scared once in the beginning, I drove 60 miles round trip because my leaves had white spots on them. It was a nursery that told me all is normal and it was. Photos of your plants also helps the experts see what is happening. There is a sticky note that tells you how to post them. Use the search at the top to find it. good luck Jen

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by JenMorri88

Can you please tell me whether it is necessary to cut off peduncles from orchids (when the flowers have already faded), and if necessary, at what point, and whether to process the cut with something?

JM -------- maybe depends on circumstances, or how the orchid is grown or being grown --- the environment and growing area conditions.

But - in general, I think probably not necessary to cut off the flowers (spike etc). The reason for that is ------- in the wild - for orchids in the wild, nobody is going to go up to an orchid to trim things from it.

[realoldbeachbum]

Welcome to the OB, Jen. I am a newbie to orchids as well so I can't offer help. However, these fine folks here at OB know everything! They have helped me through similar situations and have saved many of my seedlings and sick plants. Many blessings and happy growing! ROBB