Software
Houzz Logo Print
carolwoh

New Roots or Flower Stems?

I have three orchids that have never rebloomed. Finally, one has started to grow something. When I saw the first new growth I got very excited and thought it was going to rebloom. Well, now there are seven new shoots. Are these just new roots or am I going to get flowers??

Comments (4)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I hate to be the messenger of "bad" news...but you've got seven new healthy root tips growing :)

    It's not really bad news at all-it just means your plant is happy and healthy and is growing new roots. Here are some pointers to differentiate between spikes and roots-

    1. Roots can emerge from anywhere on the stem (meaning on the side facing the picture, the sides with the leaves, etc.) while flower spikes will only emerge from sides bearing leaves (hopefully I'm not making this too confusing)

    Here is an example:

    See that purple nubbin (directly above the yellow leaf)? That's a flower spike. That's what I'm attempting to explain by saying that spikes only emerge from the sides of the orchid stem with leaves.

    (There's also a new root right under the emerging spike (under the yellow leaf)-maybe you can compare the two?)

    2. Root tips tend to be rounder and glossier, while emerging spikes can be a little sharper (and will develop a "mitten" shape as they grow) and less glossy, however spikes can certainly also be glossy and round-tipped.

    3. As root tips grow, the growing tip will leave behind a silvery-white root, while spikes will tend to be more uniform in color.

    Here's a little tip to try to rebloom your phal-when the growing season is drawing to a close and winter begins to arrive, try giving your plant a nightly cooldown of about 10*F (e.g. if your plant experience temps in the daytime of around 70*F, then try to give it maybe temps of 65*F to 60*F at night), Nothing below 60*F.

  • 9 years ago

    thank you @goldstar135, how many hours per day should the nightly cool down be?


  • 9 years ago

    If you are in Jersey, put the plant outdoors over summer and leave it out as the fall temps drop. You should see spiking around Sept. You can leave the plant outside until the temps drop under 50F. Bring it in, put it in a bright window and you'll have flowers.

    If you can't put it outdoors, put it in a unheated porch or a cool room.

    Jane

  • 9 years ago

    thank you Jane, I am in Florida


Sponsored
Schlabach Woodworks
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars21 Reviews
Franklin County's Reclaimed Wood Professionals