phalenopsis orchid

tulip12

I have two of these that have now finished flowering, I have cut off the finished stem and now are left with just the leaves. What do you do hang onto them or just composting them?. Thanks Tulip

pawsies

I wouldn't interfere with it. They like to be left alone, it will flower again provided it is not over or underwatered and is given some orchid feed.

I like to keep mine above a radiator on a windowsill as it increases the humidity although you can keep them on a pebble tray.

I have not ever cut any of my orchids and they have blossomed again this year.

REEN

I cut the stems that have flowered back to what looks like a developing bud, then feed with pound shop tomato food (seems to work as well as the more expensive orchid food).

floss2

As others have said, and as you've done, cut off the stems that have flowered - but next time check that there are no more buds developing on the flower spike

Then leave on a windowsill to rest, water about every 3-4 weeks with a drop of feed every month or so. You will probably find that in 4-6 months a new flower spike will develop.

Do this every time it has finished flowering and you will be rewarded with a longer display of flowers each time.

tulip12

Thank you for your replies. I will feed them now then as I have not done this. They are such lovely plants if I can at least get another flowering from them it is well worth persevering.

floss2

If you can get orchids to flower again then they like you - and will keep on flowering!

My best floral display to date has been one phalenopsis that flowered from June 2010 until January 2013 - there was always at least 2 open flowers on one or other of its 2 stems all of that time, and a lot of the time there were 6-10 flowers open!

tulip12

floss2 wrote: »

If you can get orchids to flower again then they like you - and will keep on flowering!

My best floral display to date has been one phalenopsis that flowered from June 2010 until January 2013 - there was always at least 2 open flowers on one or other of its 2 stems all of that time, and a lot of the time there were 6-10 flowers open!

Floss2 that is amazing you must be very green fingered.
I hope they like me lol as I'm new to orchids but hopefully I can get mine to flower again re your advice. What feed do you actually use? I was going to use a tomato food as suggested. Thanks tulip

Kaye1

Oh I am glad i saw this as I had the same question. I also wondered if I need to buy the special orchid compost to re-pot? It is quite pricy and I am all for saving a few pennies!

floss2

tulip12 wrote: »

Floss2 that is amazing you must be very green fingered.
I hope they like me lol as I'm new to orchids but hopefully I can get mine to flower again re your advice. What feed do you actually use? I was going to use a tomato food as suggested. Thanks tulip

Thank you! I've always used regular diluted Baby Bio

Kaye1 wrote: »

Oh I am glad i saw this as I had the same question. I also wondered if I need to buy the special orchid compost to re-pot? It is quite pricy and I am all for saving a few pennies!

You do need to buy the compost, but they shouldn't need repotting every year. I think mine were last done in 2011, so will see how they are doing come the autumn as to whether they need repotting.

tulip12

Thank you I will use some of that then.
Is it ok to re pot them at any time ?
Thanks again x

pawsies

Yes you can repot them anytime.

Just be careful and don't repot too much.