has my orchid died?? :-(

[beckie_boo22]

hi guys
2 years ago my mum got me an orchid as a house warming gift when i moved in with my fiance.
firstly could you help me identify its breed/type?
last weeknd as the dying buds were falling off a newly opened bud fell off. why would this happen??
now the stem has turned a reddish brown. is it diseased or has it died or does this just happen?
do you prune orchids? if so can you advise how
i love my orchid, i keep it inside and water it once a week
please help

[Daethen]

The plant looks very healthy. Have you ever repotted it? I would say that the spike (stem) is just finished. You can cut it off about an inch from the base and dab a little cinnamon powder on the cut to seal it. Lots of good info here. Welcome to the forum.

[Silje]

Hi!

It's a phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, and it's not dead. But it might be ill, or sulking because of something. Somebody with more knowledge will be able to give you good advice as to what to do now.

Personally, I always check the roots whenever one of my phals indicates it's not happy. I always grow them in transparent plastic pots so that I can check the roots regularly without disturbing the plant. It also help me keep track on when it needs water.

But I had a case just last week when a couple of the buds on a stem just dried up on me. Kind of like your stem here. I blamed my case on too high temperature variations. The plant was exposed to temperatures varying from 15-35 within a time period of 24 hours for several days in a row. Did not appreciate it at all.

Good luck!

[beckie_boo22]

Originally Posted by Daethen

The plant looks very healthy. Have you ever repotted it? I would say that the spike (stem) is just finished. You can cut it off about an inch from the base and dab a little cinnamon powder on the cut to seal it. Lots of good info here. Welcome to the forum.

No it's still in its original transparent pot, inside the pink glass pot. So if I cut it will a new 1 grow? Is that regular baking cinnamon or plant specific?
Thanks for replying

[Daethen]

First off, it needs a repot. They need new medium every year or 2 or it can get acidic. It is a phalaenopsis or moth orchid. If the roots are good and the plant stays healthy it should produce a new spike in the future. Yes, regular baking cinnamon.

[beckie_boo22]

Originally Posted by Silje

Hi!

It's a phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, and it's not dead. But it might be ill, or sulking because of something. Somebody with more knowledge will be able to give you good advice as to what to do now.

Personally, I always check the roots whenever one of my phals indicates it's not happy. I always grow them in transparent plastic pots so that I can check the roots regularly without disturbing the plant. It also help me keep track on when it needs water.

But I had a case just last week when a couple of the buds on a stem just dried up on me. Kind of like your stem here. I blamed my case on too high temperature variations. The plant was exposed to temperatures varying from 15-35 within a time period of 24 hours for several days in a row.
not appreciate it at all.

Good luck!

Thanks for enlightening me, is that a common type?
The inner pot is translucent, so I'll check the roots.
My bud didn't dry up, it was still fresh and waxy.
It was slightly near the window for a few days, until I moved it (new desk)
Thanks for replying

[Daethen]

Yes, a phal if fairly common. The move may have disturbed the bloom.

[beckie_boo22]

Originally Posted by Daethen

First off, it needs a repot. They need new medium every year or 2 or it can get acidic. It is a phalaenopsis or moth orchid. If the roots are good and the plant stays healthy it should produce a new spike in the future. Yes, regular baking cinnamon.

I'm not much of a gardener is medium soil?
Mine's in lumps of something.
How long could it take to grow a new spike?
Thanks for your help

[Daethen]

Orchids do not grow in soil. Most grow on the side of trees in nature. It sounds like it is growing in a bark mix which is good. It could be 6 months to a year before it grows a new spike. Most orchids flower once a year. The main thing is to check the roots and see what is going on. Post some pics when you can so we can all let you know what we think is happening.

[beckie_boo22]

Originally Posted by Daethen

Orchids do not grow in soil. Most grow on the side of trees in nature. It sounds like it is growing in a bark mix which is good. It could be 6 months to a year before it grows a new spike. Most orchids flower once a year. The main thing is to check the roots and see what is going on. Post some pics when you can so we can all let you know what we think is happening.

that's a long time, it was so pretty :-( lol