hello

[mellymom]

Hi!! I am new to forum posting as well as orchid growing, so please bear w/ me! I have a phalaenopsis that i got w/ a few blooms on it...before the last one fell off, a branch off of the shoot started and now has 7-8 buds on it. Now I am so confused---should I still trim the original shoot back to where the new one branched off, or just leave it? The directions on the card attached to the plant when I bought it says to trim the spike to 2" tall after losing blooms, which i have since read conflicting info on. also, if I do trim it, should i seal the end w/ cinnamon or something? Oh yeah, my 2year old messed w/ it a little and now some of the leaves are ripped...will my orchid make it? and is any part of the plant poisonous to my son?
sorry this is so long, i truly am a "newbie" on orchids....great website!! I look forward to being a part of this community. -mellymom

[MariahK]

Welcome to the board, often with phals the will grow a second branch, just below the first flower, I always trim mine to that point for this exact reason.

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome to the forum Mellymom. Wonderful people here with all kinds of
knowledge to help you. I would just leave the stalk intact until the blooms
that are curently on flower and eventually die and fall off. Then I would cut
the stalk off about 1-2 inches from the base of the plant. This will help
the plants energy source for the blooms next season. The ripped leaf should
not hurt the plant. I received a Phal that had 2 ripped leaves on it. The old
leaves will eventually turn yellow and fall off on their own and you will get
new leaves growing from the top. Just keep it from any direct sunlight and
water consistantly. Not too dry and not too wet. In the middle to late fall,
try to achieve a 10 F difference from day to night temperatures. This will
encourage a new spike for the next blooming season. Good luck and good
growing.
PS A dusting of cinnamon after you cut the spike will help prevent bacterial
and fungal problems.

[fred]

hi mellymom

welcome to the forum

you will find heaps of information within the forums if you need any help with the forum just ask one of the forums Moderators via PM who will answer you asap or you can also pm me.

I think the link to the AOS Culture sheets will also help you
http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/page01.aspx

If you have more questions dont be scared just post away

happy chatting

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum, mellymom.

Don't worry about the length of your questions. More info makes it easier for the experts to zoom in on the problem and will enable them to give you a precise advice.

As far as I know Phalaenopsis leaves are NOT poisonous. Some may cause some allergic reactions. Since your son is only 2 years ,I'd be more concerned about choking on it. I doubt that he will be going after the leaves for the taste!

I don't think you have to worry about it.

Enjoy the posts.

[brookn]

Hi and welcome, kids that age are so much fun, and they want to taste everything. He must have thought it was appealing, and well wanted to see if it tasted as good as it looked lol. Good luck with your plant.

[mellymom]

Thanks everyone for your advice...ill try to post some pics soon.

[charleyismydog]

Welcome! Looking forward to your pics!