How to Handle Orchid Houseplant Stem After Blooming (No Tag)

by jeri
(santa clarita ca)

The flowers have dropped off the stem and now the stem is drying up quickly. What do I do with the dry stem? Will the plant grow another stem? If yes, how long before the new stem begins to grow?

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How to Handle Orchid Houseplant Stem After Blooming (No Tag)

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Aug 06, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Not giving up on the healthy phal NEW
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much for yor response because I didn't want to give up. The plant seems healthy in other ways so I was getting frustrated. Now I have hope and more knowledge!

Thanks again.
Aug 06, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		How Long Until It Flowers Again If You Cut The Stem? NEW
by: Melissa

In general with most Phalaenopsis (not all orchids but just Phals.) if the stem is still viable then usually cutting it will force a new flower spike from the node in about 9 - 10 months. This is true for the Phals. that in normal circumstance (i.e. not in a manipulated grower's greenhouse. And this is a normal thing. Usually Phals will bloom once a year.

There are some free flowering hybrids that will flower more often but most Phals follow this general rule.

Hope this helps.

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com
Aug 05, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		what to do after bloom is gone NEW
by: Jeri.

Thanks, Melissa. Hopefully I will be announcing a new bloom within the next 12 months from the time I clipped off the brown stem.
Aug 05, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Need Help Too! NEW
by: Anonymous

I cut the dead stem off off my orchid over three months ago and it still has not sprouted another. I live in South Florida and the orchid gets ample light (indoors). Can I expect another growth anytime soon?
Jul 17, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		How To Deal With Spent Orchid Spike, Depends On The Kind Of Orchid NEW
by: Melissa

Hi Jeri, Thanks for your question. Sorry it took me so long to respond but I was traveling for a while.

Since you orchid has no tag and apparently you do not know what kind it is it is much harder for me to advise you.

How orchids are treated depends greatly on what kind of orchid it is and without knowing I can only make general suggestions.

A popular orchid is Phalaenopsis. Perhaps check out this page on my site: http://www.orchids-plus-more.com/phalaenopsis-orchid-care.html There are pictures there and lots of great care information for Phalaenopsis.

If it is a Phal. and the stem is completely brown and dry then cut it off. Use a new single edged razor blade and throw it away when done, or at least do not use it on another plant. Or use sterile technique, if that means anything to you.

For most orchids if the spent flower spike is really brown and dry then you can cut it off. Sometimes cane Dendrobiums will lose all their leaves but still be green inside. And some of them flower from these leafless canes so if you cut that off you would cut off the part that supports re-blooming. So you can see that knowing the kind of orchid is relevant to how it is treated and what it needs to thrive.

Most orchids, under the right conditions for that kind of orchid will grow another flower spike eventually. But they need the right light, water and humidity. And what each kind of orchid needs can vary greatly.

And again, how long before an orchid makes a new flower spike depends greatly on the kind of orchid. In general most Phalaenopsis flower onece a year. They "tend" to initiate spikes in the fall in Northern California and will often be in bloom in say February. But nursery growers can manipulate their greenhouses so you will see Phals. for sale in bloom year round.

Hope this is somewhat helpful. If you figure out what kind of orchid it is and have more questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Good luck!

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com



If yes, how long before the new stem begins to grow?

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