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Orchid

Hannah49Hannah49 Posts: 1
in Problem solving

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Okay so my orchid lost it's flowers a while ago now, so i cut it back to the nearest knot in the stem, and now, a few months later, the leaves are really quite floppy but the orchid has produced new buds on only one of the stems, as for the other stem there appears to be no movement, what can i do to one, stop the leaves from being floppy and two, ensure i don't lose that other stem?

Posts

  • LiantasseLiantasse Posts: 7

    Hello, I am no expert, and I'm sure you'll get more knowledgeable advice soon.

    What I have done with our orchids is to cut the stem all the way back when the flowers are gone. The orchid grows a new stem when it wants to flower again. I give the pot a good soak every few weeks (place the whole pot two thirds into water and leave it there for half an hour) and do not water in between. That keeps the leaves from getting floppy. Eventually some of the older leaves do shrivel when new ones have grown.

    Maybe I'm doing it all wrong, but it seems to work for our orchids! If someone would like to tell us more, I'd love to learn.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    I soak mine in rain water with some added baby bio for orchids, once a week, for half an hour then I let it drain. Mine sit in a North facing window so do not get direct sunshine.

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906

    Hi Hannah. You have been correct in only cutting back to a new bud on the flower stalk. Orchids are fairly tough but they respond better if you do not cover the translucent pot they are in with a ceramic pot. The roots need light. You should always use rainwater to water them. I keep my rainwater inside old squash bottles in the house so that the water is always at the ambient room temperature. They do not like direct sunlight and are better on a North facing window sill.

    The watering advice from Liantasse is excellent. Repot when the roots become very congested and do not be tempted to cut of the greyish white roots that seem to be trying to escape. This is natural behaviour. Any badly shrivelled and brown roots can be snipped off when you repot. Always use translucent pots and special Orchid compost.

    Misting over through the summer months is beneficial, again always using rainwater at room temperature.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287

    imageI have had this plant for about five years. At the beginning of this year I renewed the bark compost and since then it has put out a new flower spike and also air roots. It only get water when I remember but I have given it more when in flower. I always cut back to the plant the stem after flowering as I have never managed a second flowering. This is a plant you kill with kindness. It does sound like your plant hadn't had enough water if the leaves are floppy or maybe too much. About an egg cup size of water each week will keep it ticking over. Keep in bright room out of sun and never let it get cold. So I hope this helps either with this plant or another if you replace it.

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