Do Orchids With Spikes Look Beautiful Or Bad?

This guide explains how to distinguish between an orchid flower spike and a root in a Phalaenopsis orchid. A flower spike, also known as the “flower spike” or “inflorescence”, is the stem from which blooms emerge. It takes two to three months to develop, and it grows towards the main source of light. Phalaenopsis can thrive in relatively low light conditions.

Caring for a new orchid spike requires specific attention and nurturing to ensure the best possible outcome. Healthy spikes are green, thick, and firm to the touch, while unhealthy spikes are brown or yellow in color. Weak, short, or thin spikes indicate inadequate light, too much light, or a mineral deficiency.

To encourage reblooming, it is essential to provide the orchid with the necessary conditions to flower. Some orchids have single-spikes and some are double-spiked. It is important to know what kind of spikes you are dealing with before starting the trimming process.

Orchid spikes are usually greener than roots and have a flatter, mitten-shaped tip. While growing, spikes remain green along their full length. If the orchid is healthy and doesn’t appear to be losing leaves, smelling bad when watered, or having few roots, it should be okay.

Both roots and spikes in a Phalaenopsis orchid are usually green when they begin to emerge, making it harder to distinguish them. Roots are areas of rapidly-dividing and mostly undifferentiated cells that can become one thing or another with the right hormonal signals.

Can you grow a new orchid from a flower spike?

Phaenopsis can be propagated vegetatively by cutting the flowering stem above a stem internode, covering the dormant growth ‘eye’ with a triangular sheath. After the last flower has fallen, move the plant to a dimmer area, and new plants will start from the dormant ‘eyes.’ After the new plants initiate, the mother and ‘keikis’ (babies) can be moved back to higher light. When the keikis have 2-3 roots, remove them by slicing between the stem and the keiki or cutting the stem above and below the keiki’s attachment point. The new plant can be potted up and grown on. If more flowers are desired, cut the stem as above but do not move the plant.

In the second method, the mother plant is topped, and as a monopodial plant, Phals continue to grow vertically. As they discard their lower leaves, new roots are produced above the leafless stem. The stem can be cut below the new roots, and the top part, with leaves and roots, can be repotted after proper care. The remaining stub can be left as is for a few days/weeks, and new little plants will grow out of the old stub. These keikis can be repotted in the same manner as the first method, and they will grow on and eventually bloom.

Where do you cut orchid spikes after they bloom?

The text underscores the necessity of removing the clip and cutting the plant in the event that it has not yet entered its vegetative stage.

What does an unhealthy orchid look like?

Dehydration in an orchid can be detected by noticing lumpy, wrinkled, or torn leaves, increased watering, and stress in the roots. Healthy hydrated roots should be firm and green, while dehydrated roots may be white, brown, or shriveled. Reddish leaves indicate sunburn or nitrogen or phosphorus deficiency, so move the orchid away from direct sunlight and apply fertilizer. Leaves should be uniformly green and not significantly varying in color.

Should I cut off an orchid spike?

Phalaenopsis, a moth orchid, can re-bloom from its old spike with some extra care. When the last flower fades, the spike can be left on, but the stem becomes ungainly and the flowers become smaller. Some believe cutting off the stem at the base of the leaves can help it bloom again in several months. Another option is leaving two nodes on the stem, which will initiate and produce flowers within eight to 12 weeks.

Younger or weaker plants may not rebloom, and some Phalaenopsis are genetically incapable of reblooming from the old spike. To prevent virus spread, use a sterile tool when cutting an orchid plant, such as a straight-edged razor blade. Orchid DealWire offers exclusive savings and special promotions for orchid vendors.

How to get an orchid to grow a new spike?

To obtain a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in a lower room temperature (55-65°F) at night or in a window away from a heater. This method works best in winter when homes and windows aren’t as warm. Wait for a month for the spike to grow, which will look like a root with a knobby end called a “mitten”. Once it starts spiking, return the orchid to its normal growing location with a moderate room temperature of 65-75°F and bright, indirect light.

Support the spike with a stake and a loose tie once it reaches about 5″. If no new spikes are produced after a couple of months, try moving the orchid to a different location. Continue watering and fertilizing the orchid, but don’t move it around to avoid twisted flowers and an arching effect. The Phalaenopsis can usually grow a new flower spike or two annually.

What does a healthy orchid spike look like?

Orchid flower spikes are greener than roots and have a flatter, mitten-shaped tip. They emerge from between the plant’s leaves and remain green throughout their growth. They are often sent up before producing a new flower stalk. New orchid roots, with rounded green tips, appear under leaves and are covered with a spongy epidural tissue called velamen. Velamen helps absorb water and nitrogen from the air and provides the stickiness that allows epiphytic orchids to cling to tree branches in their natural habitat. It is important to wait to stake a new growth until you see it as a flower spike.

How many times will an orchid spike bloom?

Orchids can rebloom by providing the right conditions like water, light, temperature, humidity, feeding, and regular maintenance. Phalaenopsis or moth orchids can be coaxed into reblooming indoors every three to six months. Typically blooming once a year from winter into early spring, this plant can be revived with a rest or dormancy period and a proper care routine. To get your phalaenopsis orchid to rebloom year-round, follow these steps:

1. Provide the orchid with the right conditions, such as water, light, temperature, humidity, feeding, and regular maintenance.

How to tell if your orchid will bloom again?

To ensure an orchid’s reblooming, lower the temperature and move it to a cool location with nighttime temperatures dropping to 55-65°F. Provide adequate light and water in the new growing location, either near a cool window during fall or winter, or outdoors if temperatures permit. Keep the orchid from getting too chilly.

Look for a new orchid flower spike, which usually emerges within a month when exposed to cool nighttime temperatures. These spikes are slender and have knobby ends resembling a closed fist or mitten. If the spike doesn’t form within a month or two, move the orchid to a new location to see if it will grow better.

How to make orchids bloom constantly?

To make your Phalaenopsis orchid rebloom, start fertilizing it every other week with an all-balanced fertilizer, either labeled as “bloom booster” or specifically designed for orchids. Increase light, find a new spot, and provide extra love during dormancy. Dormancy allows the orchid to replace nutrients used during blooming, and nutrients and water remain stored in the leaves until needed again. Dormancy can last anywhere from 6-9 months, and each orchid may bloom on its own, so it’s important to provide extra care and support to help it rebloom. Remember, every orchid is unique, so it may need to bloom on its own.

What does stressed orchid look like?

The leaves exhibit diminished size and increased wrinkling, suggestive of dehydration or stress in the plants.

What is the best way to get an orchid to rebloom?

The pruning of the above-mentioned node has been observed to stimulate additional growth and the subsequent flowering.