new leafs

[junbug]

Hi to all, I am getting new spikes on the orchids, but they are producing new leaves instead of flowers. What is the problem? Is this okay? Is it a new plant? Am I fertilizing too much? If this is a new plant, do I repot it? Would appreciate your help, thanks.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

First, we need to know what type of orchid it is. This is the season for most orchids to be producing new growths. Monopodials, like Phalaenopsis and Vandas just add more leaves to the top of the plants, and usually do this all year. Sympodials, like Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, and Dendrobiums produce a new growth sideways out of the base of the plant. They do this every year, at least most do it only once a year, and you can determine the age of a bulb/cane by counting backwards from the newest growth. This new growth is not a new plant, but a continuation of the current plant. Generally, you must leave a minimum of three pseudobulbs/bulbs/canes in a row on a plant, or the next growth will be stunted and will not bloom. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[jerrymeola]

New growth on a new plant is a good sign.

It is almost certainly new growth not flower spikes. It sounds normal and a healthy sign. Keikis will always develop roots whereas new growth will not (new growth at the base puts new roots into the growing medium which can show but is not considered a keiki).

When a plant is actively growing like this they can take increased amounts of water and fertilizer. I would leave it as is and let it grow.