Orchid care and blooms

[Kim Redd]

Hi to everyone!!

I have one orchid which I bought from my local building supplu store in April of 2006. It only cost about $4.00 and had 2 scraggly blooms. I knew nothing about orchids but thought she was beautiful and knew she needed love. I bought the recommended orchid "potting soil" and she bloomed constantly until this fall. The two big leaves are still green and there appears to be another leaf coming out of the middle and a tendril like leaf creeping to the side of the pot. I have been watering her as usual and cutoff the old stalk the other day. Will she bloom again? ( she had beautiful purple blooms and I named her "Miss Violet"). Is there something else I can do for her to get her ready to bloom again? Or was she supposed to only bloom the one season? I need guidance from my fellow orchid lovers and professionals. I really loved this plant and took extra good care of her. Please help!!!

Thanks in advance
KRedd

[Maddy]

So far it sounds like you're doing everything right. She'll probably need to rest for a little while before she blooms again, but she sounds healthy and happy.

Did she have a tag saying what kind of orchid she is? Just from your description, it sounds like you have a phalaenopsis (moth orchid.) They're one of the best ones to start with.

Edit - I bought my first orchid last February and it's just about to bloom for me again. So yes, she will definitely rebloom for you if you keep doing what you're doing.

[Kim Redd]

Maddy,

Thank you so much for the input!!! I do believe she is a moth orchid. I have lost the tag. According to what you suggested will there be a need to divide her at any point or does that come later?

KIM REDD

[mayres]

This type of orchid falls into the classification of monopodial - having a stem that grows indefinitely. In this type of orchid, leaves always grow from the end of a stem. You never divide this type of plant. You may get clones of this plant however from keikis (baby orchids) that sometimes start from the flower spikes after flowering. Fairly typical yearly cycles of phals is three months flowering, three months growing spike(s), and six months growing leaves and roots - any particular plant will vary to some degree. Some people on this forum have had specific plants in their conditions bloom for over a year. Three months is fairly typical for where I live. Good luck - mike

[arleneg]

If you do have a phalaenopsis, I just wanted to add that you shouldn't be quick to cut off the flower stem, especially when it's still green. It can rebloom on the same stem.

[Kim Redd]

I cut off the flower stem after it had turned brown and stayed brown for a monthor more. I hope that did not hurt her.

I would like to thank everyone for their input and help. I amy go buy another one to see how I do with the next one.

Kim

[SwTLaDYy16]

it's okay to cut the old spike when it turns brown. what you can also do when the old flowers die off is to cut right below where the very first flower was and the spike should branch out and bloom again. Phals are pretty easy to grow. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just make sure that you are careful when you water it and not get any water in the middle(crown) of the leaves. IF you do, soak it up with a q-tip or something so that you can avoid rot. k good luck!

[arleneg]

Originally Posted by Kim Redd

... I amy go buy another one to see how I do with the next one.

Kim

Kim, you've just been sucked into the world of orchid addiction. You'll find yourself wanting more in the months to come. Good luck. And, don't forget to take pics and share with us.