Sick phal

[siriusmk]

Hi everyone,

I had purchased a phalaenopsis from lowes 3 months ago. I had repotted it (I use coarse bark/sphag moss/charcoal/perlite) in an aircone pot because the root system looked poor only to discover there was another orchid. The second orchid has 5 healthy leaves and has recently sent out a flower spike. However, the other orchid only has 2 sick shriveling leaves, but the flower spike is alive and continues to set out new buds that bloom into flowers. I was wondering to what extent would cutting the flower spike help this very sick orchid?

[mayres]

Yes, you have the definate right idea. Cut off the spike. I had a very similar incident with a phal from Lowes a year ago. Two plants in the same pot. I didn't notice at first, but when I went to repot it became immediately obvious that there were two plants. The second plant ended up being a 2-3 leafer with no crown. I sent up a small flower spike with two beautiful yellow flowers. Meanwhile the leaves on the plant continued to go downhill - they were slightly shriveled and floppy when I rescued it from the discount table for $5. After blooming for 2-3 months it was down to one medium good leaf. It immediately sent up ANOTHER flower spike. Knowing it would probably kill the plant I cut it off once it was a few inches tall. A little while later the plant sent up a basal keiki. The last original leaf died but the root system supplied energy to the new keiki plant and now I have a happy young one that looks healthy but will probably not bloom for another year or so. Again, if you want to rescue the plant, sacrifice the spike. mike

[Sharyn]

Mike: Do you think these big box stores really care how many plants are in the pot? I rescued a Den. from Home Depot, waterlogged. At first, I thought, wow what a nice den. Then I got it home and found 2 plants in the same pot. I might add, the pot was way too big and the dens. were just thrown in the pot with the largest growth in the middle, rather than at the edge. Sounds like the suppliers are anxious to get rid of anything they can and and the improvement stores are ready to charge full prices! I've had good & bad luck at improvement stores. I guess if you have a little knowledge, you can benefit by repotting and have the reward of two plants from one pot. Oh, and by the way, my Home Depot store NEVER discounts anything!

[siriusmk]

Thank you for your advice. This is extremely difficult because it has 3 flowers and four undeveloped buds, but you are right I will have to sacrifice the flower spike. Thank you once again. sigh.........

[Willc73]

I don't see any reason why you would cut the spike off. A couple lower leaves falling off is normal for change of environment. You can cut it off, but all you are doing is losing some flowers.