Moth Orchids

[dragoonsers]

Hamad, I don't mean to be a buzzkill, but but but after they're done flowering, read up on where to cut the stem.. I've been growing phal in karachi and they bloom very well and I too made the same mistake- not cut the stem!

After flowering, the stem should be cut so there are no nodes left on it- if nodes are left, like in your picture- the orchid will rebloom from those nodes but will spend excess energy and give smaller flowers and it will not be good for the orchid in the long run. When we cut the stem short, the orchid has time to grow and it flowers when it's ready. So now you might ask, well, it's flowering either way, cut the stem or not, so why cut the stem?!

The answer is, after cutting the stem, when the orchid reblooms after 3-4 months, it will send up MULTIPLE stems from it's base and flower profusely!

Hope the above makes sense, sorry for any confusion.

[Hamad]

Hamad, I don't mean to be a buzzkill, but but but after they're done flowering, read up on where to cut the stem.. I've been growing phal in karachi and they bloom very well and I too made the same mistake- not cut the stem!

After flowering, the stem should be cut so there are no nodes left on it- if nodes are left, like in your picture- the orchid will rebloom from those nodes but will spend excess energy and give smaller flowers and it will not be good for the orchid in the long run. When we cut the stem short, the orchid has time to grow and it flowers when it's ready. So now you might ask, well, it's flowering either way, cut the stem or not, so why cut the stem?!

The answer is, after cutting the stem, when the orchid reblooms after 3-4 months, it will send up MULTIPLE stems from it's base and flower profusely!

Hope the above makes sense, sorry for any confusion.

No confusion, rather what you have told me are the good points and I really do appreciate your help and soon I will ask you for more tips as I m planning to have some Orchids in Wah Cantt

Hamad

[samad agha]

hey im new to this blog. but i wanted some advice on my newly acquired mini moth orchids that a friend of mine got for me from england. the plant had a total of 7 flowers fully bloomed and one green bud. i know the travelling had stressed out the plant so as soon as i got it i inspected it for root rot. it seemed fine to me but now im worried since the only bud just fell off during the night. i placed the orchid near my window which does not receive direct light. then i read somewhere that the fans wind can also disturb it so i placed it in my washroom which again receives indirect light. i mist it with mineral water every alternate day and i water it when i feel there is little dampness left in the potting material. now there are 4 flowers left and no bud. it has been a week since it arrived in pakistan. the orchid flowers are also developing brown marks on them and the bottom small leaf of the plant is also turning white at the tip. so my question would be is the plant healthy or sick. and if it is sick then how can i help it out using homemade remedies and no commercial stuff.

[Syed Adnan]

In my last 3 years of Orchid experience I come across following observations:

1. They are care-free plants and can tolerate drought conditions, The roots appear silver when need water and green root is a good sign that water is enough.
2. Donot overwater them. I water them once a week by submerging the roots in luke warm water. Mix liq Fert in water.
3. They bloom every 6 months and bloom last 3 months.
4. My Phal has multiplied from roots into three.
5. They keep on producing new leaves and never stop growing.
6. I keep them in wash room (sun facing window).
7. The yellowness of bottom leaf is common as it produces more leaves from top. Eventually the bottom ones fall off.
8. direct sunlight even through the window will easily burn these.
9. the main trick is to maintain a contant temperature for them (day and night). higher than 30 and lower than 20 is not good.

goodluck !