hello

[nita cabangis]

Hello to all members. I am looking for help to guide me in some (about 7 orchids plants ) that I have and like to keep them, but I don't know how so I join this forum. I don't know anything about orchids care. Three of them are now over with their showing the flowers and somewhat getting dry and fall off the stem. I don't know if I have to leave them that way or to cut stem. Need some info help that I may keep them. Your info will be a big help and I'll appreciate them much. Thank you!

[jerrymeola]

you can always cut a flower stem after blooms have faded. You can also leave them as it will not harm the plant. Most hobbist cut them because it looks better. Most commercial growers leave them as it is not worth the cost of paying someone to cut them off.

The only orchid that can flower again out of the old stem is a Phalaenopsis. These can branch or produce a baby plant off the old stem. The flowers are usually not as numerous or as large as the originals and baby plants take a long time to grow, so many hobbist cut the stem to preserve strength in the plant for growing and probably an equal number leave them for the extra flowers and keikis (baby plants).

About 1 in 8 stems produce extra flowres or keikis and if the stem gets soft and mushy or hard and dry it is finished.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well, I could add quite a few other orchid genuses that rebloom on old spikes, but they are not commomly found at Trader Joe's or Home Depot. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

As long as the stem stays green, you can leave it and hope that it may do something. If it starts to turn brown, it will not and you may as well cut it back to about an inch.

[nita cabangis]

Thank you for the info, Jerry. All the orchids I have are all showing their flowers and I really enjoyed them, now I am worried I don't even know their names and I'm not sure if they will still bring flowers.

[nita cabangis]

Thank you Cynthia, your suggestion to add is really nice but I still have to work on what I have now and see results. Maybe when I come out successful then I will consider adding to what I have for now.

[nita cabangis]

Thank you orchid126, I'll keep on checking on them and watch for the brown or green stem. I already did cut some brown stem with others and will wait what will happen, I do hope that will stay.