After the Blooms

[lacyjane]

I am a newbie of sorts. got a path in march 2006 that bloomed for months and months and grew a new spike that has finally dropped its last bloom. What do you do with the spikes. I cut one after blooming back below where it had bloomed with a razor blade and it bloomed again. The other spike dried and turned yellow. I have read about repotting, and other info but have not seen how or what you need to do with the spikes. Please help. I now have three plants and just love them. "want to do the right thing". LJ

[kmarch]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

From the way you described your plant's blooming hapit I think you probably have a Phal (Phalaenopsis) and not a Paph (Paphiopedilum). We could give you much better repotting advice if we were certain about what kind you have. Would it be possible to post a picture of your orchid?

[Vivienne]

lacyjane - it would also be helpful if you could update your profile to include your location. Many times (most times) the care of your orchid will depend on your location in the world.

Welcome to orchidgeeks!!

[lacyjane]

You are correct. I checked our the pictures to identify. All 3 of mine are losing blooms at this time. Just don't know what to do with them now. I live in Georgia and mine are in a southern sindow and they seem to love it. Also African Violets thrive here.

[BIGALORCHIDMAN]

The blooming season is usually from winter to spring. When the flowers fade, cut the stalk just below the node that produced the first flower. If all goes well, the stem will branch and flower again.

[lacyjane]

thank you so much. I have one phal that is planted in spagnum?? mossy substance and is doing very well, but the one in the bark type of medium if not doing well. It is very difficult to know when it needs watering in the wood mulch type. Can you tell me which is best?

[fred]

for watering you phal that is in the bark medium ( wood mulch ) I would recommend useing a wooden skewer ( see Link )
Skewer use for watering of orchids

it is hard for me to say what medium phals grow better in as we have lots of members here that grow phals in a bark mix.
Myself I have 3 phals two are grown in a bark mix and one in sphagnum moss.
the two i have in the bark mix one is in flower and the other has a flower spike growing.
the one in sphagnum moss is growing very well but no flower spike as yet.

also see choosing-a-potting-media
Choosing a potting media ?

[jerrymeola]

Your question as to which potting medium is best emphasizes a key point for beginners.

Orchids will grow in just about anything. What is best is whatever works for your growing conditions.

Many commercial growers like myself like sphagnum since it stays wet longer. Many hobbyist do not like it since they water too often and the water retention can lead to rot.

Bark needs to be watered more often that sphagnum. Your watering habits obviously tend toward being drier and the Phal likes the moss.

Once you are satisified with what medium works best for you, you can convert all your plants to the same method.

Re-potting a Phal is easy. Soak the plant for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze the plastic pot to lossen it and gently lift the orchid out of the pot. Most of the bark should fall off and running water over the roots should remove most of what is left. It is not important to get it all.

Be careful since the roots can crack easily. Pre-soaking softened the roots and makes it easier with which to work. Soak some new sphagnum and gently work it into the center of the roots. You do not want to have air pockets and you do not wanat to force teh roots to a new position. Put more around the outside and return it to the same pot. Be very slow to use larger pots. Always use the smallest pot that holds the roots comforably.