During the growth cycle of an orchid, the plant will send out several spikes at the same time. The older spikes will be smaller, but new ones will be more prolific. This process is known as reblooming among orchid fans.
Orchids have a life cycle, which is divided into six stages. The first stage is the seed stage. Mature seeds require moisture and little light to grow. This stage can take years to develop.
After the seed stage, the plant sends out a spike and grows rhizomes, which are roots that spread out horizontally. These rhizomes will eventually produce a new plant that shoots up. Each orchid species has its own specific light and humidity needs. If the plant is not getting the right amount of light, it will not produce flowers.
A sudden change in temperature or humidity can cause the flowers to drop. Orchids have sensitive buds that are susceptible to changes in the environment. If the temperature changes too quickly, the orchid’s flower buds will drop off. The orchid will continue to send out new growth once it has recovered.
The spikes of phalaenopsis orchids have glossy green points. These plants can bloom several times in a year. They will have to be fed every other week and should be watered with diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. They should be placed in an area where they are protected from direct sources of heat and drafts.
In most orchid genera, a flower spike will need to be cut back after the flower stage. This helps the plant focus its energy on root development instead of producing flowers.
A good rule of thumb is to cut the spike as close to the base of the plant as possible. This will encourage new growth and help the plant produce more flowers.
Propagate an Orchid From a Flower Stem
Whether you want to propagate an orchid from a flower stem for your own use or to share with a friend, it is essential to know how to go about it. It is important to know how to grow orchids from a flower stem because it is different from the way you can grow other plants from a stem.
The first thing you need to do is to separate the plant from its stem. This is usually done by making a cut near the base of the plant. You can use a sterilized knife or scissors to do this.
Once you have cut the stem, you need to make sure that there are nodes on the cutting. The nodes are where the new orchids will grow. The stem should have at least two nodes for each section.
The next step is to plant the cuttings in separate pots. Then, you will need to use an antifungal agent to keep the cuttings from becoming infected. If you plan to use sphagnum moss to root the orchids, you need to dampen the moss to provide humidity.
After a few weeks, the keiki offshoots should grow. You can plant them in small plugs of sphagnum moss or a regular bark mix. You should make sure that they have roots that are at least an inch long.
Once your orchid plantlets are ready, you can place them in an enclosed container. You also need to keep the plantlets moist. You can do this by misting them daily.
Read Why your orchid has lost its flowers.