Orchid Help! One of my spikes is turning brown. What do I do?

I recently purchased some orchids, so I'm relatively new to growing orchids. One of the stems that's growing out of one of the major stems is turning brown and the tip of it is black. I'm afraid that the other stem growing out of the same major stem is going to turn brown. What do I do? It's a Phalaenopsis orchid.

Orchid Help! One of my spikes is turning brown. What do I do?
Hi! Ok, so there are several questions you need to ask yourself first. Were all the buds opened when you got it? If that is the case, then the flowers may have been just ready to go. Normally flowers don't just drop for the change in environment, though unopened buds may shrevel up and die, unless of course, it was subjected to really hot or freezing temperatures. You can, as someone else mentionned, cut the stem to the first "node", the "joint" that is right below the first flower. This is not advised if the plant is unhealthy, however. Is your orchid potted in bark or moss? lots of orchids in moss are really compacted, and the store overwaters the plant.





I would suggest looking at the root system. If the plant is still in flower, you can still do this (many people say to wait until the plant is finished blooming, but you are better off to lose blooms than to lose the plant). ps. I repot all my newly aquired phalaenopsis, and have never lost any blooms. Buy a bag of orchid bark from your local greenhouse/ home depot etc, and soak the bark in water for at least one hour. Then carfully take the plant out of the pot- take all the old media away from the roots. Healthy roots will be firm and white (or green if it was in a clear pot). Rotten roots are mushy and brown. Cut off any mushy roots. If all or most of the roots are rotten, that is probably why your plant lost its blooms.





Now, you didn't mention if the blooms are still on the plant, fell of recently, or have been off for a while. Many phalaenopsis orchids will lose the stems after blooming- a new one will be sent up next year.





Either way, it is best to check the roots of the plants...





If the roots are rotten, cut off all the bad roots, re-pot in into new mix (choose the same pot, or the smallest pot that accomodates the roots system (that could mean downsizing if all the roots are gone). Keep the plant moist (not wet) until new roots begin to grow. If the plant hasn't had rotten roots for too long, then it can be saved.





Also, for future notice, orchids are best purchased if grown in bark- there is less of a chance that the store over watered the plants!





I hope this helps!!
Reply:do you mean the flowers that were open have fallen off, or the actual buds? Normally, phalaenopsis flowers last 3 months or longer. I doublt that the plant was in the store for longer than that period of time. Anyways, check to see what its potted in, and take it from there. good luck!! Report It

Reply:You will need to cut the spike down to just below the second node. This will encourage another bloom. Make sure to keep the plant in an area that receives bright indirect light and fluctuating day and night temps. Warm days and cool nights. I have included a site that you will find helpful. Orchids are very easy to grow once you get the routine down. Water but do not let stand in water and fertilize and add humidity. My one phalaenopsis is on its third bloom from the same spike. Good luck with your plant.


http://www.orchidweb.com/phalcare.aspx
Reply:It is probably reacting to a change in environment and nothing to worry about. Just snip it off into green tissue. The rest of the spike may continue on and produce bloom.





Good care is the answer.





See source for information on how to grow phals in your home.