First Orchid! What type is this? And what do I do now buds are wilting?

[neworchidlover]

Hello Orchid Enthusiasts!

I wanted to write as I am new to the website and thought this would be a good place to get good care for my orchid now that it's initial buds are wilting and starting to fall off.

Firstly, does anyone know what species of orchid I have? And more importantly, now that the buds are starting to dry and wilt, what do I do?? What I find strange is that though they all bloomed at different times over a long period of time, all of the buds went pretty much all at once. One of the employees from Winstons said that I could cut the buds off but I wasn't sure if I should cut the entire stem off, or just the wilted flower and leave the little stem.

I have a website included in my profile with a link to some pictures of my orchid. I am new to this site, but I think there should be some pictures included with this post as well. I am hoping those who are more experienced in orchid might know what kind of orchid I have and how I should care for it in its current state!

Thank you so much!!

Dorothy

[myorchid]

I think you have a Phalenopsis, but it would help to see the entire plant. I let the flowers fall off but leave the spike until it dries up.

I know others will chime in with information.

Welcome to the site, great people on here!

[kmarch]

Hi neworchidlover and welcome to the forum!

Originally Posted by neworchidlover

Firstly, does anyone know what species of orchid I have?

The term "species" refers to wild orchids or evento orchids in cultivation that are those found in the wild. You orchid is not a species, rather it is what we call a "hybrid". A hybrid is when a human takes two different orchids (either 2 different species, a species and another hybrid, or 2 different hybrids) and crosses them.

Having said that, your orchid is a Phalaenopsis. Look at the Phalaenopsis culture sheet on this forum or at AOS | Home for information on how to grow them.

Originally Posted by neworchidlover

And more importantly, now that the buds are starting to dry and wilt, what do I do??

The short answer: nothing. Let them naturally fade and drop off. If the flower stem (inflorescence) withers you can cut it off near the base or if it stays green you can leave it alone and your Phalaenopsis (Phal for short) may rebloom again off the same stem, growing a new inflorescence form one of the nodes or joints on the old inflorescence.

Originally Posted by neworchidlover

What I find strange is that though they all bloomed at different times over a long period of time, all of the buds went pretty much all at once. One of the employees from Winstons said that I could cut the buds off but I wasn't sure if I should cut the entire stem off, or just the wilted flower and leave the little stem.

This is actually not so strange. Phals often drop flowers and buds after they are moved form one environment to another like taking it home from a nursery.

Let us know if you have more questions. we're here to help!

[brookn]

If the stem is still green, you can leave it until it is brown and dried up. The spent blooms will fall off on their own.

[neworchidlover]

Thank you for all of your help. My orchid has gone from bad to worse

Now half of the stem has turned a yellowish unhealthy green. And one of the leaves is starting to turn yellow and wrinkly. They used to be so nice and strong and green.

I did change the plant's enviornment from my office to my home. Except my apartment is very cavernous. I've been putting it next to my lamp, because on of the women at Winston's said to put it in a bright room, though not in direct sunlight.

Should I take it back to the office? There really is no light in my apartment at home.It's like a cave.I'm just concerned that half the stem started to turn yellow literally in half of a day... I've attached some pictures, but you can't get a good idea of the color because its so dark.

I read somewhere that you should cut the stem one inch above the third node(counting upwards assuming the "first" node is at bottom/base of the plant). Should I do that now that the stem is starting to turn yellow?

Dorothy

[Orchidementia]

When was the last time you watered it? The photo's a little fuzzy, but that pot looks bone dry. Wrinkly leaves usually mean they need a bit more hydration.

[neworchidlover]

I watered it on Friday! Just two days ago...usually they are not supposed to be watered no more than once a week I was told.

Should I cut the stem, above the third node from the bottom?That is where it is still pretty gren. It's mostly yellowish green at the top. Though I don't have a sharp razor blade all I have is a kitchen knife, I'm not sure if that would be a good idea.

[Orchidementia]

The 'once a week' watering is a rule of thumb to prevent overwatering but in reality, the plant needs to be watered often enough to keep the medium slightly damp. This could be once a week or less, or every other day, depending upon your environment (if you update your profile to let us know where you are, everyone will have a better idea about what climate you're in).

Air conditioning and forced-air heating removes humidity from the air, causing plants to dry quicker.

If you're just pouring in an ounce or two of water, that's not enough; the plant needs to put in the sink and the medium needs to have enough water poured through it to make it evenly damp. Once it's through draining, it can go back to its normal spot in the home.

I'd leave the stem be for the time. If you do cut it, use very sharp scissors (sterilize first) or small bypass trimmers (again, sterilize first). Knives aren't really the right tools.

[neworchidlover]

I am in Boston, MA! Yes that makes more sense now, I thought that it was too dry at times, but everyone in Winstons said not to water more...

Well I bought some single razor blades at CVS to cut the stem. When do I know when to cut it off? And where? I know people say to cut it at the base, but i've read with this breed if you cut it at the right place it can bloom again more quickly. And it's such a pretty orchid I would love to see it bloom again soon!

Dorothy

[Lacerr]

Orchidementia is right, when you water, seriously soak that bad boy for a good 5 minutes in a sink until you get all the media soaked and water is freely draining thru the pot. Its a good time to repot and check the roots. I think Ortho's completely guide to orchids would help you out tremendously. Its my favorite well rounded orchid book

[brookn]

Hi, okay I think that it needs more water. Buds and flowers will drop or die on these plants with a change of location or conditions, it just happens. With the stem dying you can cut it close to the plant, I would not cut it to a node to force more blooms (although I doubt it will), as it looks stressed. You need to get it back to a regular schedule of watering, and the skewer method will work fine. It looks like it could use a repot, but lets give it some regular water for a week or two, then on to repot. You can update your location by going to the top left corner, and clicking user CP, then edit profile, and put your location in under additional information-where I live. You can see that we have our locations in the right corner of our posts, this helps everyone to be able to "see" where you are when they give you advice. Hope this helps!

Try this:
AOS | Phalaenopsis

And this:
Skewer use for watering of orchids

[SShide77]

Hi neworchidlover, i am in Boston, MA too! Just thought I would say hi:-)

[arleneg]

Hi & welcome to the forum, neworchidlover.

I suggest cutting the flower stem when it's dried all the way down to the base.

[patticake]

Hi! I agree with the others. This little honey needs a good drink!! If it's dry the next day, give it another one! Go by what it tells you. You don't want it soggy, or sitting in a saucer of water, but it needs to be damp, not dry. Some types of orchids need to dry out before watering, but not Phals. I'm not to sure about Winstons folks being orchid experts...I'm sure they mean well, but I would research on this forum, or get some books,etc... Good luck, and keep us posted!

[neworchidlover]

Everyone here is so nice!! Thank you for all of your messages!! You guys are great!!

Well I decided to cut it at the third node....so far its been a day and it still looks green....if it totally dries out then I will cut it all the way at the bottom. I'm sure it's not been happy being moved around so much. To make a long story people at my office (I work in an Investment Bank) were not being supportive of my orchid when it started to wilt saying "well it's got to go eventually...."

Brookyn suggested giving it some fertilizer in a few weeks, does anyone have any suggestions on which type might be best. Also I was suggested to "repot", but my put just has the roots that's it, the roots are wrapped around some synthetic material, but there is no dirt or anything like that....so I am not sure what a repot would do. I could always, just rinse out the old pot to make it like new?

[fred]

welcome to the forum
just to clarify one piece of advice here some orchids grow on trees not all.

Terrestrial orchids however can be grown in a good garden potting mix.

see link for more information
Comprehensive Culture Guide—Introduction to orchids

[brookn]

Hi, the thing I would give it is some Superthrive after repot every other week (a weak solution such as 4-6 drops/quart). I would not start fertilizer until it is acclimated, well after repotting, say a couple of months. I suggested repotting after it's had a couple of weeks of water, but if it's potted in something weird I would definitely repot soon. Could you get a pic of the plant and what it is potted in?

[Lacerr]

you can get a bark mix for phalaenopsis at Lowes I think its made by better-gro, it works just fine for me, I also use the better-gro urea free fertilizer. I only use it at quarter strength once a week mixed with a sink full of water so its very weak. I use the high nitrogen when I am trying to promote strong healthy leaves or growth of new leaves. But like what everyone else says, be very careful with the fertilizer.