Question
Hi - I am a completely orchid-ignorant, so I apologize if this is a silly question...

FOUR WEEKS AGO, I brought home dozens of cut phaelanopsis stems from a wedding.  Most of them lasted about a week and a half, but I am still hanging on to three stems of 10 flowers each that look like they were only cut yesterday.   One of them has started growing another little nub off of the end of the stem and has two buds that appear to be additional blooms.  Is there anything I can do to "root" these stems?  Or do I just enjoy them as long as they'll last?  They are currently in a vase with plain water...looking quite lovely on my mantel, I might add...

Thanks!
Mandy

Answer
Hi Mandy,

I hope the marriage of the newly weds lasts longer than the flowers!  (grin)  

I'm afraid that once the flowers die off, that is it and you can put them in the trash.  One thing you can do to help the flowers last longer is to change the water every few days, adding a little sugar or 7-Up soda to the water.  Also, cut about an inch off the bottom of the stem to expose the cut end to help it take up the water.  Make sure there are no fruits close by as they can shorten the life of the flowers.  

Enjoy them while they last.  Phalaenopsis flowers can last upwards of 3 weeks on the stem after it has been cut from the orchid plant.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.