Question
Hi, Jim, I feel fairly safe in that I have a phal orchid.  It bloomed beautifully last year.  It now has what I think might be buds coming out and if each produces a flower...I w/have 9 blooms.  How wonderful a Christmas present.  My problem is I don't know what the "buds" look like.  Do you have a photo of a phal plant and what they look like just before they have a bloom?  Thanks in advance.  Carla

Answer
Hi Carla,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!  I hope they are buds and that they all open for you.  

Unfortunately I don't have a photo of phalaenopsis buds but will try to describe them to you.  

To begin, a stem will emerge from near the base of a leaf then slowly grow longer and longer, it will be either green or reddish green in color.  As the stem grows and matures, you will begin to see tiny little balls emerge from nodes along the stem.  As the stem matures further, these little balls will grow larger and larger until they finally open.  While all of this is happening, it would be a good idea to put a support stake near the stem and gently tie it to the stake every 6 inches or so.  A word of caution, make sure the temperature is above 60 degrees when handling and tying the stem, below 60 it can be a little brittle and might break off.  

By the way, all of this can take upwards of 3 or more months to happen and the flowers will stay for 2 or more months.  Also make sure temperatures remain above 60.  

Hope this helped.  Again, congratulations!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.