Re-Blooming - Orchid Board

ravens_chance · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 04:11 PM

So, my understanding of phalaenopsis re-blooming, once the flowers fall off, you trim the stem back the length it has browned up, or three notches back from the old flowering spot. I have done this with one, and am having success (it has put out a new shoot from it's original stem, waiting to see if it flowers).

But, I have several phalaenopsis that have had their original flowering stems completely die. Will this plant produce new stems and ever flower again, or is it doomed to a flowerless life? And is there anything I can do to help it?

sucuz · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 04:30 PM

Your new shoot should eventually blossom. Watching the stem lengthen and develop buds is exciting.

The phals whose blooms are spent should bloom again. If the stems have turned to dried sticks, just cut them off near the base. New bloom spikes will form. You would expect them to be in bloom roughly about the same time each year. Most phals will bloom once a year, but more and more hybrids will re-bloom the same year. It just depends on the variety that you have.

If you have had them a couple of years and they still have not flowered, they may not be getting enough light, may benefit from re-potting, or need feeding. But a flowerless life? Not at all. It is always exciting when you rebloom your plants...you did it right...Yeaaah!

By the way, WELCOME to OB!

ravens_chance · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 04:55 PM

It's good to hear I'm doing things right, and that there is hope. Last month I moved them to where they get more light, started them on a new food, and re-planted one. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

thank you sucuz

quiltergal · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 05:14 PM

One thing most Phals need is a 10 degree drop in temps between day and night in order to initiate spikes. In the fall you should start seeing new spikes emerging as the night time temps drop. We keep our house very cool at night....low 60's in fall and winter, so I have no problem getting any of my Phals to rebloom.

magicatt · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 05:33 PM

I concur with all the above. Given proper watering, food and light, with a bit of night temp drop, you should be seeing a new spike in no time. Welcome to OB.