Questions about Phalaenopsis orchid???

[angolita]

Hi,I am new to growing orchids. I bought a Phalaenopsis orchid today and am not sure how to keep it blooming after the blooms die? Do you cut off the part were it blooms and if so, how far? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks,Angela

[brookn]

Hi start with culture sheets here:

http://www.orchidweb.org/aos/orchids...lturephals.pdf

Then you can read up on this:
Orchid Care for Phalenonopis & Paphiopedilum Orchids

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...=skewer+method

Any questions after that, feel free, everyone is very helpful here. Welcome.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by angolita

Hi,I am new to growing orchids. I bought a Phalaenopsis orchid today and am not sure how to keep it blooming after the blooms die?

Well the short answer is that you don't keep it blooming. Orchids are not perpetual bloomers. They will bloom then the blooms die and they grow for a while before blooming again. Many (most?) orchids are seasonal bloomers, blooming at specific times during the year.

Originally Posted by angolita

Do you cut off the part were it blooms and if so, how far?

Once the flowers have all faded you may choose to cut the flower stem off just above the last node. The node is like a joint on the stem. There are usually about 3-4 of these along the stem. You can cut just above the last of these and the plant may send off another flower spike from that node. It may not send another spike off and the whole stem may die off too. Cutting may cause another spike to start or the plant may also just wait to sent the secondary spike on the next blooming season.

Some folks think this forced rebloom is a bad idea. Others think it is ok.

[fred]

just to help us Angela could you please go into your user setting and update your Profile with your Location as we have members from all over the world with different growing conditions.
knowing your location will help us with giving you advice

[angolita]

I found all this information very helpful,thanks for responding to my question.