help! weird problem with phaleanopsis

[robert_b]

Hi everyone, I have a problem with my phaleanopsis, first it stated with losing buds [buds blast I think it is called] and then the stem started to turn yellow and now the [almost] whole stem is yellow but the weird thing is that the other stem is not affected - I say this because I live in a flat and recently it was hot here [80 degrees F or 30 degrees C] so I left the doors open to create some draft, which I think was the reason for the bud blast it the first pace or maybe not, I'm not an expert; so as you see in the photos one stem is dying and one is ok [this one had 3 buds which bloomed, seems that the draft did not affect this stem] and I don't know what to do, should I cut it? the yellowness is spreading fast, now it's near the first nod

regards robert

use your common sense and quick thinking...whatever is sick and dying you must cut and dispose of in order to save the healthy ones...be sure to dab the wound cuts with powdered cinnamon

[skipper]

I think Anky has it about right. Cut it off and get rid of it ASAP.

[Greybeard]

First of all welcome to the forum, your in the right place for help Next, yes the dying spike will probably not bloom anymore, so unless there is a branch comming off of it in the part that is still green then Anky is right, you need to cut it off as close to the main plant as you can get without cutting it, the coat the cut with cinamon, this is a natural fungicide and will prevent infection. The rest of the plant looks really good so it may have been that spikes time to go. How long had it been blooming? Phals. do not like to completely dry out between waterings but they also do not like sitting in water. I have not figured out how to do links yet but the AOS has good culture info on Phals and other Orchids so maybe one of the other members can link you or you can search Good luck with your Phal ( I'm a Phalaholic too) and welcome

[Puddy1]

Welcome! I agree with Greybeard. I have a Phal that would not hold on to a bud but had a perfectly healthy second spike. I cut off the main spike about a quarter inch from the plant and put cinnamon on it. In no time a bud finally opened on my second spike! Today I checked it and I have another bud opening! So I would say...cut off that spike! Something isn't right with it.

[tangers40]

i really don't see a cause for panic here. the yellowing spike is dying off naturally. the plant itself looks perfectly fine. there's no reason for the "zomg the spike is diseased/sick/cutitoffrightnow!!!!!!!" a dying spike does not equal a dying orchid.

cut the yellowing spike off close to the base of the plant. continue to enjoy the other remaining spike. give it proper care and it will bloom again for you in the future.

[pikkumyy]

i agree with tangers

[steam fire and ice]

I agree with Tangers40, there is no need to panic. I have a Phal right now that has 2 spikes, and one has died back, while the other is just now putting on the blooms on the second spike. It isnt something to worry with. The one spike is naturally dying back. Phalaenopsis orchids are unique I have noticed some wild things and they seem to want to bloom. I have even had a spike die halfway back down the spike and throw out a subspike that has bloomed for me going on 2 and half months now. Just cut back the spike that has died back, and enjoy the blooms on the second spike.

[Lucija]

welcome to forum
If I were you I would do like Tangers40 said. cut it between last two nods, right under the part it started to change colour. It maybe creates new spike on that last nod. If not, don't worry, will grow another spike eventualy. You can find on you tube where to cut exactly! good luck

[Greybeard]

Please forgive me if I made it sound like this was a big emergency, it was not my intention Phal spikes die off naturaly, it does not indicate a problem with the plant, it just means that it is putting energy into growing and nurturing the more lively spike and as Lucija stated you might be able to induce a branch in the dying one if there is enough to do this with Phals love to show off blooms but even with Phals all good things must come to an end it might want to bring you good things elsewhere Hope I corrected my booboo

[robert_b]

thank you everyone for the feedback!! I'm sorry if it sounded like an emergency but the speed at which that spike turned yellow really worried me, thought it was something wrong with the plant; yesterday I cut the spike above the first nod and then put powdered cinnamon, thought that the spike could be saved but today I saw the tip of the spike and the fist nod yellow so then I cut the spike close to the base of the plant [this was harder to cut, I didn't do such a clean cut as you can see in the photo]; I hope that this will resolve it

[robert_b]

Hi Greybeard - I got this phaleanopsis in mid april, for a month it was fine then some buds started turning yellow and after that the spike, about the blooming I can only tell you that apart from the flowers already bloomed it had 5 buds on the dying spike, which all turned yellow and died; on the healthy spike there were 4 buds, one turned yellow but the others bloomed, they started blooming 2 weeks ago

[katrina]

Originally Posted by robert_b

thank you everyone for the feedback!! I'm sorry if it sounded like an emergency...

Not to worry and no need to apologize. I believe Tangers comment was directed at Anky for his/her comment.

Tangers is correct. Spikes don't last forever and yours appears to be doing what they normally do when they are done.

As to your bud blast....it's not uncommon for Phals to do that when they experience a change from the store/nursery to a home. It's not uncommon and it's nothing to worry about.

[tangers40]

Originally Posted by katrina

Not to worry and no need to apologize. I believe Tangers comment was directed at Anky for his/her comment.

actually i didn't really mean to direct it at anybody in particular. it just seemed the general theme in the thread was moving towards "something's WRONG here" rather than just "nature taking its course". sorry if i made it sound that way.

[Puddy1]

Originally Posted by robert_b

Hi Greybeard - I got this phaleanopsis in mid april, for a month it was fine then some buds started turning yellow and after that the spike, about the blooming I can only tell you that apart from the flowers already bloomed it had 5 buds on the dying spike, which all turned yellow and died; on the healthy spike there were 4 buds, one turned yellow but the others bloomed, they started blooming 2 weeks ago

This is exactly how mine behaved. That is why I cut off the large spike even though it wasn't yellowing, the buds would just drop off. I wanted it to concentrate on the younger, "healthier" spike. The younger one started to open it's buds.

[otis 226]

Originally Posted by tangers40

actually i didn't really mean to direct it at anybody in particular. it just seemed the general theme in the thread was moving towards "something's WRONG here" rather than just "nature taking its course".

Absolutely, blooms and spikes die back, some last longer than others, but there are too many variables to try and determine how long each will last. Most of the plants I recently brought back from the greenhouse in bloom have faded in just a week, but as long as the plants stay healthy, hopefully they'll live to bloom another day
Cheers,
Tony

I read Robert's problem and I gave him my solution. I am not competing with anyone in intelligence and mental aptitude: its always common sense and quick thinking that saves the day. Its a matter of fact statement and no emotions involved: "cut the sick/dead part and despose of it ASAP"...do not wait for another day...there is an urgency about it. If you wait a bit longer, the other healthy ones might get affected(the plant can concentrate on giving nurients to the flowering one). Do not get emotional or personal with me. It is very clinical and tongue in cheek. I dont know anyone here personally; so I cant get a biased opinion of you. I say it as it is. I read the problem and I gave a solution in my own simple way according to my experience with phalaenopsis plants...do not create another problem ...always give solutions.

[pikkumyy]

hey robert, ive heard that cinnamon is great for putting on cuts in orchids so be sure to put some on the cut of the flower spike, otherwise you might end up with an infection

[Greybeard]

Originally Posted by robert_b

Hi Greybeard - I got this phaleanopsis in mid april, for a month it was fine then some buds started turning yellow and after that the spike, about the blooming I can only tell you that apart from the flowers already bloomed it had 5 buds on the dying spike, which all turned yellow and died; on the healthy spike there were 4 buds, one turned yellow but the others bloomed, they started blooming 2 weeks ago

Sounds fairly normal and I still don't think it's anything to worry about, I agree with Katrina, it's probably a little like shock, it was in one home, store, greenhouse or whatever and got moved to your new home. Plants need to adjust to new surrondings like everything else, all you have to do is study up on what it likes, try your best to give it that and you'll reap the rewards, beautiful flowers, Phals are tougher than you think and they love to bloom, so be patient, orchids drink their morning coffee a little slower than we do but it will wake up

[katrina]

Originally Posted by tangers40

actually i didn't really mean to direct it at anybody in particular. it just seemed the general theme in the thread was moving towards "something's WRONG here" rather than just "nature taking its course". sorry if i made it sound that way.

Gotcha! My bad. Regardless...you read the same thing I did so good call on the redirect.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Anky

I read Robert's problem and I gave him my solution. I am not competing with anyone in intelligence and mental aptitude: its always common sense and quick thinking that saves the day. Its a matter of fact statement and no emotions involved: "cut the sick/dead part and despose of it ASAP"...do not wait for another day...there is an urgency about it. If you wait a bit longer, the other healthy ones might get affected(the plant can concentrate on giving nurients to the flowering one). Do not get emotional or personal with me. It is very clinical and tongue in cheek. I dont know anyone here personally; so I cant get a biased opinion of you. I say it as it is. I read the problem and I gave a solution in my own simple way according to my experience with phalaenopsis plants...do not create another problem ...always give solutions.

No one is getting personal here. You mention using common sense and that is very good advice. With that said, common sense in this situation...a yellowing SPIKE...should be that the spike is simply coming to it's natural end. A yellowing spike is not disease and it doesn't indicate any type of sickness. There is no reason for panic.

Again, it's not personal...it's a matter of making sure the appropriate advice is given.