Bloom spikes on misc. orchids

[vjo]

Do you remove bloom spikes on Brassia,Onc. Milt. before they turn brown? Will they bloom again on those spikes or are they just using energy that the plant would use for new growth? Thanks for the help...Jean

[Bud]

Welcome and Hello ! Sit Back and relax, read postings of some of our memebers and learn from their wealth of experiece on growing orchids.
Now, on to your questions. When the flowers have fallen off, remove the spike by cutting it off as low as you can without damaging the plant, it will not produce more blooms. Oncidiums produce flower spikes from down low, emerging from between a leaf and the pseudobulb.

[camille1585]

Nope, none of those orchids will put out more blooms from the same spike. You can either cut them off right off the flowers fall off, or you can wait for them to dry up before cutting.

[vjo]

Thank you both you were very helpful, I thought that it would be OK but they are staying green such a long time that I thought maybe there was something else going on.Thanks again....Jean

[Bud]

Dont forget to dab cinamon powder on the cut wound...so not to have any disease get inside the plant...contrary to some beleif ...the energy given by the plant to the blooms is done and it will not give more energy to the dead spike. Its the moisture that remains inside the dead spike that still makes it green...you can either cut it or let it fade away like in nature; its your choice...

[vjo]

thanks Bud I would have forgotten to do that....Jean

[WhiteRabbit]

I usually wait for them to wither before cutting - but that's just my preference. I don't think they 'take' anything from the plant if they aren't blooming, but if the plant were declining I'd be more likely to cut if still green.

I have a Miltassia with a (still green) spike from nearly two years ago - hasn't seemed to slow the plant down. It is interesting that the spike from early this year, browned and died quite soon after blooming was done, and this other, older one is still green. Now I'm curious to see how long it will remain green lol

But cutting them when blooming is done, but spike still green, is fine too

[vjo]

WOW it is still green after two years,that would drive me nuts. I would always be checking to see if it was doing SOMETHING.lol Thanks...Jean

[NiNiDazzle]

Most of my oncids spikes, I have noticed, will brown right after blooming.

I have a twinkle that was last in bloom in March/April. The spikes were still green so I didn't cut it. Just yesterday, I saw that the old spike had branched out from the nodes and is putting out more buds/blooms. It also has five new spikes that are just beginning to bud.

[vjo]

NiNi, wish I had seen your post earlier as it is too late now...lol but you can bet I will never cut another green spike off! Thanks for the info....Jean