What to do with orchid after blooms are gone.?

Question

i bought an orchid in bloom about 2 months ago, the blooms have now since fallen off. I no longer can remember what type of orchid it is. it looks exactly like this

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Orchid.jpg

what do I do now since the blooms have fallen off. i heard that I should cut the stem but where?

Answer 1

if you don't get your answer here, take the picture to a florist or nursery, or where you got the orchid, they can help

Answer 2

Hi Jeff,

The orchid you have is Dendrobium. Specifically, it's the "Phalaneopsis" type Dendrobium. Don't confuse it with the actual Phalaenopsis (moth) orchid; it's so called just because the flowers look like those of Phalaenopsis'.

The flower spike (or what you called "stem") emerges next to a leaf, and that's where you should cut the flower spike after the flowers fade.

Now keep your Dendrobium by a bright window in a warm spot (65 to 82 °F during the day and 10°F or so cooler at night). Depending on your humidity and temperature, water it thoroughly every 4 to 10 days. The cooler and more humid you keep your Dendrobium, the less you have to water.

You should see a new growth coming out from the very base of the plant. The growth will provide you a flower spike or two after it matures.

It may be another 6 months to one year before you see another flower spike again. So be patient and enjoy the beautiful plant as it.

Please check out the Dendrobium  http://www.everything-orchids.com/dendro... page to find out more about this type of orchid. And check out how to take care of orchids in general http://www.everything-orchids.com/orchid... .

Hope it helps!

Regards,

Kennis

Answer 3

Your Orchid is a Dendrobium. It's a fairly easy Orchid to grow.

Cut your spent bloom spike back to about 3 inches. Take care not to nip a leaf.

Keep your Orchid in a moderately sunny (not direct sun) area and keep moist. Orchids are from areas that are warm and high in humidity. Try to replicate this environment as closely as possible. Misting the leaves once a week will help.

Fertilize with an Orchid specific fertilizer every two months.

You should have more blooms to admire in just a few months!

Answer 4

you can just leave it. i did and in a year it bloomed again. just water it and give it some plant food and in a while if cared for will bloom

Answer 5

Jeff, I can't see your Orchid but, if it is like one we had given to us, it had a long flower stem above a bunch of flat green leaves that went either left or right but not in a circle.  

That said, when the bloom faded, I made the mistake of cutting off the whole stem back to the basic plant.  WRONG!  I should have just left it alone.  Future blossoms often come on the old blossom stem if you leave them alone.

Meanwhile, mist the plant daily with room temperature water and a spray bottle.  Orchids love a humid atmosphere.  Also, leave a dish of water near the plant.  As this evaporates, the air around the plant becomes more humid.  Further, look for some Orchid fertilizer for your plant.  Follow the instructions on the container for a healthy plant.

If you provide the proper atmosphere and lighting, food and water, you should see further blooms on your Orchid.  Your friends will be amazed when they see it blooming again!