Question
I am currently nearly in tears, I four huge, healthy orchid plants i got a year ago and all of them have bloomed except one, and it grew out a stem and had tiny buds but when trying to support the stem then , oh snap , yes the part of the stem with the buds on it snapped off. I am wondering if the stem will grow more buds or if i should go ahead and cut the whole stem off, please help

thanks!

Answer
Hello Briana,

Sorry to hear about the accident.  When tying flower stems to a support, it is best to wait until the warmest time of the day.  Cold stems tend to be rather brittle but once warmed up they are easier to work with.  Also, it is best not move stems too much at one time, moving them a little each day until you have it where you want.  

As for getting more buds on the broken stem, it all depends upon what kind of orchid it is.  Most orchids produce flowers only towards the tip of the stem, but if yours is a phalaenopsis orchid it may grow an offshoot stem from a dormant growth eye below the break.  If it does, it may take 2 to 4 months for it to be in bloom.  

Hope this has helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.