Marion, You may have had email responses 'off-forum'. What kind of orchid do you have? Perhaps your orchid is a Phalaenopsis. If so, once the blooms fall, many people cut the inflorescence (the 'stem' or 'spike') very low at the lowest node or joint (Always remember to use a new razor blade or sterilized cutting tool to avoid spreading a virus.) This frees the plant from maintaining that green stem for many months. When the plants is ready to bloom again it should put up a fresh infloresence with larger and more plentiful blooms. Some people leave the Phal's spike alone or trim it after the blooms fall just below the first bloom. This method can prompt the orchid to grow a secondary spike which will have a few more but often smaller blooms. Once the inflorescence turns brown or dries out, you may as well cut it off. Now is the time of the year (also in the Spring) that Phals start their new inflorescences. You can prompt them to bloom by allowing the night time temp to drop about 15 to 20 degrees for 3 weeks. I still keep them above 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Never allow them to frost or freeze. You might leave them on a shaded porch. Avoid direct sunlight and daytime temps above 85. If the orchid is a Dendrobium or Cattleya, the inflorescence has served its purpose and can be removed. Otherwise check what kind of orchid you have. If the orchid is a 'sequential bloomer' of course don't cut the spike since now or within a few days there should be another beautiful bloom on the way! Enjoy your orchids! Lee
Lee Bredeson [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.classicorchidtours.com (<-- New!) _____________________________________________________ Orchids, Orchids, Orchids... ALL AROUND THE WORLD !!! > -------- Original Message -------- > From: "Marion Lillie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Thu, October 11, 2007 11:43 am > To: <[email protected]> > I am fairly new at orchids. After blooming, the long dead stem seems to need > cutting...but where? Thanks, [EMAIL PROTECTED] . > _______________________________________________ > the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) > [email protected] > http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
