Question
QUESTION: Dear Jim,
After many years of wanting to grow orchids, my daughter bought me one.  It was a double stem and my grandaughter walked past it with a balloon and knocked it on the floor and broke one off.  #1- is that it for the stem and #2- now that all the flowers are spent, what is the care to bring it to new flowers?   I am truly a beginner.  Thank you.  Janet

ANSWER: Hello Janet,

Although you did not mention what kind of orchid it is you have, I believe it might be a phalaenopsis orchid.  

If a flowering stem is broken off, place it in a bud vase with water.  Depending upon how long the flowers have been open, they may last another week to a month or longer in the vase, just be sure to change the water every few days.  As for when it will make new flowers, the answer is probably next year.  Phalaenopsis produce blooms once a year, usually in mid winter to early spring and the flowers can remain for 2 months and longer.  Until then, keep it growing happily.  

Phalaenopsis prefer being grown in bright shade, temperatures between 60F to 85F, humidity above 50% along with some light air movement around it.  Water it when the potting media becomes barely moist along with feeding it a balance type orchid fertilizer once in a while.  One word of caution about watering, it is best to do any watering in the morning as this will allow sufficient time for any water droplets on the leafs to evaporate before nightfall.  Water on the leaves over night can be a prime breeding environment for fungus which can cause a slow death to the orchid plant.  

Hope this helped.  By the way, is the granddaughter still alive?  (just kidding!!!)  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



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

QUESTION: Thanks for your response to my e-mail!  I have been growing african violets for 30 years with wonderful success.   Do orchids grow the same?  That is what I was told! Thank you again! Janet

Answer
Hi again Janet,

The answer is "yes and no".  

While phalaenopsis orchids can be grown under similar conditions as African Violets, they do require slightly different conditions.  Primarily, the difference is that phals. need slightly more light than A.V. which can grow happily in somewhat low light.  Phals. grow and bloom best under bright shade with maybe a couple hours of early morning direct sunlight.  

Hope this helped.  Surprised at this quick answer?  Was about to log off when I got your followup question.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.