Question
Hi,

I just got a phalaeonopsis from my grandpa. There is one flower on it, still in bloom and strong. However, my grandpa instructed me not to cut any of the branches, but didn't give me a reason.

At first I thought the branches were woody but it turns out they're not and the branches just have reddish brown specks all over.

Should I just leave the stems alone when the flower drops? I've been reading up on Phals. and at this point I really don't know what to do with the stems... They're quite tall.

Please advise :) thank you! (The reason I'm not sure is because my grandpa speaks Chinese and I think he was trying to tell me not to cut the stems...)

Chiara

Answer
Chiara, you are fortunate to have such a thoughtful grandpa.  First, about the reddish brown specks. It is not unusual for flower spikes to have some pigmentation which could account for the specks.  However, there also is a scale insect that can be that color and is a sap sucking insect.  To find out which, use a q-tip soaked in alcohol and try rubbing the spots to see if they come off on the q-tip.  If they do, you have trouble and report this back to me for further instructions.  If they do not, then all is fine.

Secondly, additional buds or branches can develop from the old flower spike.  However, if you cut off the old flower spike above a node (ie joint), it could also send out a branch from that node.  Be aware, some old flower spikes will turn brown and die back when flowering has finished.  It is not unusual for them to turn redish or yellowish before they start to die back.  If you have this type of phalaenopsis, the die back is natural and has nothing to do with the health of the plant.  If your interpretation of your grandfather's advice is correct, I would just follow his advice rather than risk hurting his feelings as no damage is done by leaving the flower spike uncut-- other than an unwieldly appearance.  If the old flower spike dies back, then you can remove the entire flower spike and it will reflower from a new spike next year.

Phalaenopsis orchids need to be repotted each year after flowering and a special orchid potting mix should be used for this purpose.  If all the roots are healthy (ie firm and turn green when wet) you will need to repot to a somewhat larger pot.  Use a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes.  After unpotting the plant, rinse the roots thoroughly and also soak the fresh orchid potting mix for an hour or more before use.  If any of the roots are mushy, remove those roots before repotting. After repotting, water weekly.  Stake the old flower spike with bamboo stake of comparable size.