Orchid

[Rosie29]

I've got what I think is a Dendromium orchid. It is over a foot tall and had lovely white flowers growing up the stem at the junction with the leaves which grow at right angles up the stem.
It stopped flowering a few months ago and two fresh stems are growing out from the base - sideways - and look as if they are going to produce flowers.
Should I cut off the two main stems which have stopped flowering and stake the new seems into an upright position ?
Thanks for any thoughts.

[Rosie29]

" stems"

[Tuvok]

I read once that you cut the stems back after flowering.

I didn't do that on my orchids, and now they have produced baby plants.

It may be roots growing out at the bottom - if they start to grow upward then it could be new floewr stems.

[rowanwitch]

The old stems will flower at the top only the second year, then remove them mine has been going for years

[Cloverjo]

I’ve done nothing to mine and it’s still going despite my being a serial plant killer.

[Rosie29]

Lol Cloverjo ! and thanks Tuvok and Rowan. Much appreciated.

[zebo]

I have one that's over ten years old and I do nothing with it except a jug of water and stake the new stems with growth on, at the moment it has about twenty big flowers and two new stems ready to go! I also have a Christmas cactus that must be over 20 years old, again I do nothing except water it when I remember. The stuff I take care of doesn't thrive, what's the lesson I should learn???

[Tuvok]

I have another that was put out to the greenhouse after it flowered. The I noticed that it was growning flowers again so I brought it back into the house.

It now consistently flowers - all I do is give it a splash of water now and again!

I must get round to repotting it as it has burst its pot.

One thing to remember is the roots like to see light. Usually they come in a clear plastic pot, even if there are in a ceramic pot. Take them out of any ceramic pot.

[Rosie29]

This is all good advice and very encouraging - I certainly didnt realise about the plastic pots.

[rowanwitch]

Mine is growing in a goldfish bowl out of direct sun. It gets a good watering when I think of it, leave half an hour, drain off any surplus seems happy