Broke one of the blooming brunches, what now?

[nastya]

Hi,

I found this forum and really hope i can get some help here because no source online seems to be able to answer my question.

I have a Phalaenopsis orchid, rather big plant which I got 1 month ago. it has a few leaves at the bottom and 1 main brunch, from which there are 4 chaotically growing brunches (much thiner), all brunches are blooming right now.

as a result of a terrible and unforgivable accident, the main brunch broke, exactly at the point where it had sort of "joint point"... (I am sure you would know what i mean). other brunches still bloom but they are thiner and i dont know if the plant will live without it's top now, especially since it had the most flowers on it.

I spent the whole day crying, I want to save it so much but i dont know how.. any advice will be highly appreciated!! Thank you in advance!

[jbigio]

Welcome and don’t panic its not that big a deal.
The branch you are referring to is most likely a spike with secondary spikes coming off it. You can cut the broken spike just above a nod (they are the bumps you feel when you run your finger down the spike). In most cases with the new hybrids, if the plant is healthy with good roots it will send out a new spike from that nod. The down side is you lost the flowers from that spike but you can put them in water like cut flowers. Have you checked the roots, that’s usually a big problem for new owners? Also how often are you watering?
You should up date your profile and after I believe 5 posts you can post pictures which will help get you better advice.
Joe

[Vivienne]

No worries just yet. Is the branch/spike broken completely? If not you can support it with a stake and/or use floral tape. There is another thread - will try to find - with a similar circumstance.

[Vivienne]

Here's the link. You can also do a search, there are several threads about the same problem.

Is there magic tape?

[janet_a]

no crying! the plant will survive just fine, and it may even put out another spike for you.

can you tell us where you're located? that will help in suggesting how best to grow the plant.

[nastya]

Thank you so much for your replies!!!

once i have 5 posts will be easier for me to post a pic because i am really new to this subject and have a hard time explaining without even knowing all the right terms..

vivienne, in the thread you posted there is an advice to wrap it with tape around, which is what i did even though the brunch (spike?) dropped off fully. I know it's damn silly to hope it will get "glued" back but that was the only thing that came to mind...

when the orchid came it had a small florists instructions on it, which said never to water more than once a week, and since i live in a relatively hot climate (israel), by the time watering day arrives it is already very very dry... (i use mineral water).

jbigio, although i am a total newbie to orchid's anatomy, from what u say i think it broke exactly at this nod point. it also looks like a rather fragile point, if you just press it lightly the spike falls off at this point, which is approximately what happened. So there is no place to cut it lower, as i will lose other spikes ... if i leave it just like that, the "wound" place will eventually dry out, i dont think it will put out another spike, or will it?

i think overall it's healthy, at least as far as I can judge.

[PhalPal]

BTW - Welcome to the forum nastya.

Orchids are tough, and even though you may lose this one spike it will live to see another day!

[11Orchid126]

If you leave the break where it is, a node lower down on the spike may pop for you. It sounds like the type of phal that likes to branch. Incidentally, we've all been there and done that, thats why we know what to tell you!

[jerrymeola]

nastya

watering in a very hot climate may have to be adjusted from the directions you received.

Once a week is OK for most indoor climates but if you have yours outside or subject to outdoor heat it will need more water. Keep in mind that Phalaenopsis are a very low light level plant and do not subject it to direct sun. It should always be in the shade.

The important point is not how often you water but whether the orchid is almost dry before you water again.

Here in SW Florida plants I have outdoors in the shade get watered three times a week.

It also depends on the material in which the plant is potted. Bark dries out faster than sphagnum moss. Sphagnum moss feels like soft fibers. It gets very hard and white if it dries too much.

Keep checking the pot and water when the plant needs it not according to a calendar