Orchid plant

[SPR2]

I have an orchid in full flower but noticed that the stems have gone sticky.Does anyone know what has caused this to happen?

[Droptheclutch]

SPR2 said:

I have an orchid in full flower but noticed that the stems have gone sticky.Does anyone know what has caused this to happen?

What sort of Orchid is it? (Orchid is merely a name for the group of plants that number 25000 - give or take:-)

Could be aphids at a guess.

[SPR2]

I am sure it is a phalaenopsis.It has two arched stemms and has had 30 flower heads.Leaves are looking a bit sad too.It is 3 or 4 years old and I have it in a south facing window.

[Droptheclutch]

SPR2 said:

I am sure it is a phalaenopsis.It has two arched stemms and has had 30 flower heads.Leaves are looking a bit sad too.It is 3 or 4 years old and I have it in a south facing window.

That's a good show, you must be doing something right :-)

The stickyness could just be the end of the plants bloom, or insect attack, IMHO and at a guess, probably aphids. Take a good look all over and if found use an insectiside such as liquid derris (iirc)

[Simpo Two]

I like the phalaenopsis orchid (about £16 in the local garden centre) but I'm concerned that once I buy it, the flowers will fall off and then I'll just get an ugly expensive dying stick. How long do they last for (assuming reasonably well cared for) and what conditions do they like?

[Droptheclutch]

Simpo Two said:

I like the phalaenopsis orchid (about £16 in the local garden centre) but I'm concerned that once I buy it, the flowers will fall off and then I'll just get an ugly expensive dying stick. How long do they last for (assuming reasonably well cared for) and what conditions do they like?

They can (like a lot of the Orchid family) last for months, however, you don't know how long it's been in bloom when you buy it...

[Simpo Two]

I presume they're annual? If so a plastic one would seem more sensible!

[anonymous-user]

SPR2 said:

It is 3 or 4 years old . .

Good effort!

[anonymous-user]

Simpo Two said:

I like the phalaenopsis orchid (about £16 in the local garden centre) but I'm concerned that once I buy it, the flowers will fall off and then I'll just get an ugly expensive dying stick. How long do they last for (assuming reasonably well cared for) and what conditions do they like?

I've had 'Orchids' for six months now. The instructions just said water once a week but I water mine twice a week by rinsing them in WARM water. After letting the water drain out I feed them with an orchid drip feeder. (I don't leave the drip feeder in because one of my little children likes squeezing it when i'm not looking )

They seem to be doing great with loads of new flowers appearing.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks - well it might be worth a punt. What aspect do they like? I have an east or north window in mind (the east one gets quite a blast of morning sunshine)

[SPR2]

Droptheclutch said:

SPR2 said:

I am sure it is a phalaenopsis.It has two arched stemms and has had 30 flower heads.Leaves are looking a bit sad too.It is 3 or 4 years old and I have it in a south facing window.

That's a good show, you must be doing something right :-)

The stickyness could just be the end of the plants bloom, or insect attack, IMHO and at a guess, probably aphids. Take a good look all over and if found use an insectiside such as liquid derris (iirc)

Thanks - the stickyness is only where the flowers are and difficult to spot anything with all the flowers so close together so maybe have to wait until it has finished before treating it. It has been in flower since January and first ones have dropped off this week.

[Simpo Two]

Or nectar?

[SPR2]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks - well it might be worth a punt. What aspect do they like? I have an east or north window in mind (the east one gets quite a blast of morning sunshine)

I would go for the east window with sunshine.When you buy one look for one with a couple of stems and several buds to come.I bought a new one late January[7.99 from local garden centre] the flowers are still looking good and new leaves showing.To feed I have used Baby Bio and I only water once a week at the bottom

[Tuscanless Ali]

I have had my Orchids 6 years, and only just found out that when they have finished flowering you don't chop the stem off, you are supposed to just cut back below the first flower.

I have two and they usually bloom twice in a year, one lives in the bathroom and doesn't often need watering, the other is in the kitchen and probably gets watered once a fortnight.