miki moth

[miki moth]

im so not a computer geek hope this works new to chat and orchids hi/!!

[desertgal]

Welcome Miki.....happy to have you join in.

[miki moth]

i have a phal with two spikes one has died back some and i cut it off above the first node 3". the other still has two flowers. some one else told me to just let it fall off. the plant has wide 3x7inch thick leaves help/

[mayres]

Welcome! What you do with the spikes is entirely up to you. Some people cut them back clear to the base of the plant to encourage the plant to build up its strength for next season's spikes and some cut them back to the first node just prior to the first flower. Cutting the spike where you did will also work though not as common. Depending upon how happy your orchid is and also genetics - it may or may not send out additional secondary spikes from these old spikes that will have possibly slightly smaller and less flowers - but they will be flowers to enjoy nonetheless. If/when the spike turns brown definately cut it back to the base. The first rule of thumb on this type of orchid is don't over water. My next recommendation would be to keep it out of direct sunlight. These two rules will keep your plant alive for a LONG time - the next steps will be determining what your plant is potted in (type of media) - what other things you can do to encourage it to thrive and rebloom. These types of orchids on the average will bloom for three months or longer, it takes about three months for the flower spikes to develop and flowers open up, and the other 5-6 months we get to enjoy the leaves and air roots! Enjoy! mike

[miki moth]

mike thanks so much it is in the spagnum(sp) moss, (the phal) is that bad? i also have three new Walmart discounts from hawaii in lava pebbles one isMtssa shelob "tolkien"(great author) it was on the tag all are dendrobrium in four inch oats i removed the pretty plastic they are thin leaves with hardened stalks any ideas what the flowers will be at this price they're done blooming

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The Phal in moss will probably take a long time to get nearly dry, which is when it should be watered again. The Mtssa is a miltassia, a cross between a miltonia, which should not be allowed to dry out, and a Brassia, which can be dried out between waterings. So, I would water the Mtssa much more often than the others since in pebbles a plant dries out fast. The Dens should be watered often while growing or blooming, but should be changed to a decidedly wet/dry cycle when the last leaves at the tips of the new Den canes come out (no tiny new ones seen just peeking out). Welcome and good luck, Cynthia

[miki moth]

im new to orchids and this site thank you so much for your time your great!!

[miki moth]

cynthia thank you for your time so much to learn and i think im turning into a orchid geek wanna be any cheap places for more also how do the flowers look on mine my hubby bought discounted no flowers answer only if you want to thanks.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I am not sure I understood your earlier post where you mentioned the Miltassia and then it sounded like you said they were all Dendrobiums. The Miltasssia is a relative of Oncidiums, has fat, short bulbs, and long spear like leaves. The Dendrobiums usually have tall canes, maybe a half inch in diameter, and short leaves, maybe 3 to 4" long all up and down the cane, except where some will have fallen off lower down. You might want to look at the flowers in this posting.
Orchid Photo Identification Guide
Cynthia

[mayres]

At least in my area most of the Walmart dendrobiums come from Puna Orchids in Hawaii - you can look at their site here - http://www.punaorchids.com/index.htm . Their retail site Hawaiitropicals also shows pictures of the same types of dendrobiums that I have seen many a time at Walmart. Unfortunately they are rarely labeled with a name and many orchid hobby people don't like to collect orchids without their names (which tells their genetics). If you can get them when they first arrive though you can have many weeks of beautiful blooms for less than $10. If you get them after bloom it will take them some time to aclimate to your environment and rebloom. I have found that if you give this type of dend a lot of sunshine in the spring and summer that they will bloom nicely early fall (right now!). Good luck.

[miki moth]

i have three dens bought cheap not flowering-one is falling over they are in 2-3 inch pots i bought phalen mix can i use this and add all three to a bigger pot? newbie

[miki moth]

does anyone know of a show coming up in houston no luck googling it. if i'm not putting a thread on right someone tell me thanksssssss!!!!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You can put the orchids together if you can do it in a reasonably small pot. Too big a pot, and they won't dry out soon enough. BUT, if you ever intend to divide the plants later, you will not know which is which. You will probably have to keep all the divisions until they bloom, so you won't be giving away or trading away the only copy of one or more of the orchids, so I usually recommend against it. Cynthia

[mayres]

If you don't mind driving to Austin there is a show called the Heart of Texas Orchid Society Show THIS WEEKEND coming up! Put that in google and you can get the specifics......If I lived close I'd go! :-) mike