New to Forum and identification question

[W Stender]

Hi Guys,

Glad I found this forum and I look forward to popping in and out and getting to know all of you better.

My wife and I are new to the orchid scene and we have jumped in trying to learn all the lingo and new ways of dealing with these wonderful plants. We are trying to set up a greenhouse, and working on proper shadecloth requirements and setup before it gets too sunny here in North West New Jersey.

Over half of our orchids are "orphins". I have a lot of clients in New York, and they throw out their orchids after they bloom, so I have been taking them and trying to rehabilitate them. Right now I have too many white Phals, so I am not taking any more of these. We are beginning to realize that taking orphins is not the best way to get healthy plants, but I can't stand the thought of them being thrown out.

I have attached a mystery orchid picture to this post in hopes that someone can identify it and give me an idea how best to care for it. I bought it at a florist shop, and it did not have an identification tag ( I was too new to know any better). I thought it was a Phal, but the flower spike came out of the top center, instead of underneath, so it most be a hybrid. Any ideas?

[11Orchid126]

The picture in your post is that of a phalaenopsis, and a lovely one at that.

[jay]

Welcome to the forum! Can't wait to see some photos of your other rescues. Many of us can't help but rescue orchids in need, so you will fit right in.

A question about your Phal, is that flower spike coming out of the center crown? To clarify, is it coming from the place where a new leaf would grow?
It looks like it from the photo, and if so that might not be the best of news for this one.

Jay

[cupcake]

It's a lovely phal! Just remember it's your duty to save as many brchids as possible! If you run out of space then call on us! We will find room! Judi x

[kmarch]

Hi and welcome!

As 11orchid126 sposted you orchid is a phalaenopsis, a hybrid of some sort. Because there are so many hybrids and because so many hybrids look similar, a more specific ID won't be possible.

Spiking (growing a flower stem) from the crown (center of the plant where the leaves grow from) is not normal for a phal. Some forum members are of the opinion that this spells the end for the orchid, and this is sometimes the case. However, phals can start new growths form the base fo the plant and they can also keiki from the nodes onthe inflorescence (keiki = baby; phals can grow a baby plant from one of the joints [nodes] on the flower stem [inflorescence]).

Cheers

[dennis]

it is called a terminal spike. this does not mean the end of the plant but more than likely will not bloom from the mother plant again sorry to give you the bad news maybe you can return it and get your money back or trade it in. as for identifying a phal hybrid it is pretty much impossible due to the numbers of them that have been made. if they are grown from seed then they may appear totally different from the mother plant making it even more confusing

[jay]

To clarify, I didn't think it meant the plant would die, just that this growth would not bloom again. Am I right in assuming this? This is of course if it truly is coming out of the crown.

Jay

[W Stender]

Well, although I am not as well versed in orchids, I am still hoping that this is some sort of a hybrid. The leaves are slightly longer and thinner than the other phals that I have, and I reptted it today and the root system is quite strong. The other thing I noticed is that there are root nodes quite hgh up on the monpodial stem, so it does not look like a common Phal.

Hopefully by the end of the summer, I will have a better idea of wher its at.

[PhalPal]

Hello and Welcome to the forum W Stender! Your Phal is definately a hybrid of some type, exact ID is impossible as previously stated. I too started my orchid obsession by rescuing orchids that were trashed after bloming. It just killed me! and I dug them out having NO idea how to care for them. I have no clue how many I have now, but it's never enough. If you need basic culture advice, American Orchid Society has great care sheets you can print out. Good luck with your Phal!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by W Stender

Well, although I am not as well versed in orchids, I am still hoping that this is some sort of a hybrid. The leaves are slightly longer and thinner than the other phals that I have, and I reptted it today and the root system is quite strong. The other thing I noticed is that there are root nodes quite hgh up on the monpodial stem, so it does not look like a common Phal.

It is a hybrid to be sure. And very common (though I don't mean "common" inthe degratory sense). What are oyu refering to as the "monopodial stem"? The flower stem? Where the leaves are? Roots can come out fo both places, mostly where the leaves are, but they can appear on the inflorescence especially if a keiki is developing. It's not unusual.

[W Stender]

I have attached two close up images of this orchid after I just repotted it yesterday. The reason I feel it is a hybrid that may bloom from the center instead of by the base is the overall elongated style of the monopodial stem, and the roots coming out from higher up on the stem. Also note the more elongated pointed leaves and the fact that they are generally stiffer than Phal leaves.

There are may types of orchids that bllom from the top of the monopodial stalk, so my hopes is that it is a crossbreed with one of these.

If it is not, and this is the deathsong for ths orchid, should I throw it out, or is there a way to force this orchid to grow Kikis, so its offspring can live on? Also, is there a better place to post these questions than the introduction page? I did not know this posting would draw so many responses.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by W Stender

I have attached two close up images of this orchid after I just repotted it yesterday. The reason I feel it is a hybrid that may bloom from the center instead of by the base is the overall elongated style of the monopodial stem, and the roots coming out from higher up on the stem. Also note the more elongated pointed leaves and the fact that they are generally stiffer than Phal leaves.

There are may types of orchids that bllom from the top of the monopodial stalk, so my hopes is that it is a crossbreed with one of these.

Ok, I think I understand better what you're thinking. Actually, no, there aren't any monopodials that bloom from the crown, they bloom from the side. Sympodial orchids often bloom from the top, but symodial orchids (especially Dendrobiums) can bloom along the side of a cane or growth too. Monopodial orchids will not cross with sympodial orchids so oyu don't have a monopodial-sympodial hybrid.

There are no phalaenopsis hybrids specially bred to bloom from the crown. All phals normally bloom from the side of the monopidial "stem." Yours is not a special kind of phal hybrid, rather its an abnormality. Mike (mayres) I think started a long thread about this because he had one that did this.

Originally Posted by W Stender

If it is not, and this is the deathsong for ths orchid, should I throw it out, or is there a way to force this orchid to grow Kikis, so its offspring can live on?

I addressed this question in my first post in this thread. Go back and take a look at that.

Originally Posted by W Stender

Also, is there a better place to post these questions than the introduction page? I did not know this posting would draw so many responses.

Yes, questions like this could go in the orchid culture section or possibly in the newbie questions section.

We've got a lot of enthusiastic helpful members. Folks are eager to help and share the joy of orchid growing with others.

[W Stender]

Thanks for your help kmarch, I will start a new thread in the orchid culture section and see if I can get some feedback on what me next steps should be.

[patticake]

Hi and welcome I started out with cast-offs too! It was a great way to practice and make sure I could grow these beauties in my home conditions before I invested a lot in some more expensive plants. I would keep taking care of it as you have been, and hope for new growth from the bottom of the plant. You also have left part of the flower stalk on your plant- you might get a keiki from that. I'll keep my fingers crossed! Good luck with the greenhouse! Oh, how I wish I could indulge in one!