Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I have two orchids and I've been research online on how to take care of them. Ever since I bought them they have flowered twice very nicely. I've learned a few things about how to stimulate blooms, leaf growth, etc.. through online resources and personal experience.

However I gave them to my mom to take care of over the summer. She cut the spikes at the base of the plant after the blooms faded and new spikes haven't come up until I took them back to my apartment. One of the plants has one tiny new spike (reddish-greenish in color) that is coming from in between the leaves of the plant(something I've never seen before).

The other plant still has one spike left from the first flowering that my mom didn't cut off. I'm waiting for a new spike to branch off the nodes because this one is cut off after the third node from the base.

Is there anything I can do to stimulate spike growth?

thanks for your time~

-Theo

ANSWER: Hi Theo,

Although you did not say what kind of orchids you have, I believe they are phalaenopsis orchids since you mentioned that you cut the top of the spike off to get a branch to grow from a node.  

Most phalaenopsis produce spikes in late summer into fall and bloom in winter to early spring.  What triggers or initiates spike growth on phals. is cool night temperatures of around 55F for several weeks.  But, prior to this, it should have been growing and building up nutrient reserves within its leafs.  This brings up a concern about how healthy the plant is, whether the leafs are full and firm (healthy) or somewhat limp and droopy (unhealthy).  If your phals are both nice and healthy, allow them to make spikes and blooms but if not, it would be better to remove the spikes that do start to grow and spend time in getting it back to growing healthily.  

By the way, the one with the reddish-green colored spike growing probably produces flowers that are red or have red in it?  

Hope this has helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,

Thanks for your help and the useful information! Yes, they are phals. I've actually been doing some of my own research online and have found that most people who have experience in growing orchids such as yourself say pretty much the same thing. My mom, who was taking care of the orchids this summer lives in up-state NY and leaves the orchids outside all day and night(away from direct sunlight). The nights there definately get chilly..probably about 55F and in the day about 70F. This has been going on for about 2 months and still nothing has happened.=(

The plants are actually very healthy. Their leaves' color is a healthy shade of green, they're firm to the touch, and they're sprouting new leaves. One of the plants is a small phal(yellow flowers), the other is a medium size one(deep magenta flowers, the one with the reddish green tipped root). I discovered that it's actually not a spike because it doesn't have a mitten like shape, it's growing to look more and more like a root. I've even bought this spray fertilizer called "terracycle orchid plant food", says it contains "worm poop" in big letters on the bottle. It's been keeping the plants healthy so far, but doesn't seem to enduce any spikes yet, just leaf growth.

I dont think I'm doing anything wrong, but there's still no sign of spikes. I would like to know your throughts on this one.

thanks again!

-Theo

ANSWER: Hi Theo,

You probably are not doing anything wrong, it is just that the phal is not ready to spike.  One thing about orchids, they teach you to be patient!  (grin)  

Spike initiation is usually a combination of temperature and day length.  As day and night temperatures slowly go lower, the length of day becomes less and nights longer.  Usually when day light hours go below 10 hours along with cooler night temperatures, a spike may begin to emerge and slowly grow longer.  Just be sure they are not left outdoors as night temperatures go below 55F.  Most phalaenopsis initiate spikes in the fall and bloom in winter to spring.  

Be careful with the spray bottle.  Do not do any spraying much past noon to allow enough time for spray droplets to evaporate before night fall.  

Hope this has helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,

It's been a month since I last emailed you about orchid care. I've been taking care of these two orchids quite well now. They've been showing excellent signs of good health(fast growing new leaves that are firm and green leaves, new roots shooting out, ..etc.) and I even play light classical and meditative music for them, but there are still no spikes!

I was hoping that the roots popping out from the base of the smaller one where spikes..but they began to look more and more like roots...and now I'm positive the plants are only shooting out new roots.

The nights in our apt have been chilly enough that I need a blanket to sleep, but not too cold that I would catch a cold. Although, there where a few nights where the heat was turned on automatically in the apt and it might have been a little warm for the orchids. However, I felt their pots and they where still cool to the touch.

I'm being patient, but I would like to learn how to speed up the process a little. Besides the night temperatures, what else stimulates spike growth in phals?

I appreciate your help!

-Theo

Answer
Hi again Theo,

If you want to speed up Mother Nature, you can try controlling the light and temperature to fool the phals into blooming sooner.  But, I have to warn you that it will take a little work on your part.  

First, limit the amount of light to under 1200 foot/candles for 10 hours per day then dark for 14 hours.  Temperatures during light exposure should be about 65F to 70F and dark at about 55F.  Control these for about 3 weeks then slowly expose it to the normal light and temperature of the apt.  Also, prior to beginning this experiment, mix one teaspoon of epsom salt in a quart of lukewarm water and water them with it.  Do this once each week while doing the above.  

But, I have to tell you that it is almost the time of year that most phalaenopsis start their bloom cycle.  

Hope this helped.  Good luck.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.