Question
QUESTION: I went on vacation for a week and left my orchid in a dark cold house in Los Angeles/Encino CA. When I returned, the plant had sprouted four foot long root stems and one flowering stem with three flower buds at the the top of the plant.  It seems strange to me that there are four big sprawling roots dangling about two feet above the top of the pot.  Do I need to snip off this whole section from high above the plant and repot it??? or should I just leave it as is.  I have had the plant for a little over a year and it has not rebloomed yet.  It is a big plant with big leaves (varying in size from one of my hands to two of my hands put together)  the flowers were big and white as far as i can remember.  Can you help me insure the survival of the flowers that are about to pop?

Thanks.
Denise

ANSWER: Hello Denise,

I am not quite sure what kind of orchid you have.  At first I thought it might be from the Vanda orchid family because you mentioned roots dangling about 2 feet above the pot, but when you talked about the leaf size, I'm not so sure what it is.  Vanda leaves are more narrow but long and might form a V along the length of it.  

Is there a plastic tag in the pot and does it have a name on it?  If it does, can you write back with the name and I'll try to help with better advice.  

For now, I would suggest you keep doing what you had been since it does not appear to be in immediate danger.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



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

QUESTION: Jim,
Thanks for your response.  Unfortunately there is no info. on the plant or on the pot as to what kind of orchid it is. However, I saw one at Trader Joes that looks the same and I think it is called a phaelopsis (or something like that).  I hope this helps to facilitates a more detailed response.  Thanks

Answer
Hi again Denise,

That is too bad about there not being a tag with the name on it.  I'm still unsure what kind of orchid you have because you mentioned four foot long roots above the pot that grew while you were on vacation for a week.  It is not unusual for phalaenopsis to have roots growing outside the pot but for them to grow so quickly (one week) is highly unusual.  Also, when you talked about the size of the leafs, were you referring to the size of the leaf as being 2 hands wide or long?  If you meant long along with the other descriptions of your orchid, it just may be a phalaenopsis orchid that you have.  

Sorry for the long discussion, I was more or less talking to myself while figuring out your question.  

Phalaenopsis orchids prefer bright indirect sunlight, temperatures between 60F to 85F, humidity above 50% along with some light air movement around it.  Give it these conditions and the stem with flower buds should continue to grow and open within a few weeks to a month.  Along with the above, be sure to keep any fruits at least 10 feet away because fruits emit ethylene gas as they ripen, no sudden changes in temperature, any cleaning agents that contain ammonia or other smelly ingredients.  

I'd like to apologize for taking so long to respond to your second question, I was away for a few days and am just now trying to catch up with e-mails, etc.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.