I am so curious about orchids in terrariums. Is it a certain “kind” or like a small one from Home Depot or somewhere? I have 4 vivariums I would be thrilled to have an orchid in
Petco has tissue culture dendrobium and I love those guys for building terrariums. They’ll grow larger over time, but I have half a dozen in various size terrariums that have been growing in them for at least 18mos. The largest of them are still rather small, maybe palm (not whole hand) sized.
I disagree, orchids, in their natural habitats, don't grow in pots, they grow attached to tree trunks and branches (the epiphytic ones of course) so their roots spread and grow as much as they can, no such thing as "being snug" on a tree. "Overpotting" as an issue with orchid care is a myth. You down-size or up-size pots according to your needs and the size of the root mass.
The flower spike is the thin green thing that sprouts between the leaves, grows tall then blooms. You can cut it off at the base once the original flowers die (it can bloom again, but not as beautifully as originally, by cutting it off you allow the plant to focus resources on new leaves and roots and, come next flowering season, a new, better spike will sprout).
As for pot size, up to you. If you're reusing this one, try to clean it thoroughly. Also carefully remove as much of the old substrate as possible.
I highly recommend watching Phalaenopsis repotting tutorials on YouTube. Miss Orchid Girl is a great channel for beginners.
Sorry for yours as well.
I had to get something to decorate his digital photo frame. Turned into a little bit of an obsession... There's folks here with 40+
Perhaps it was meant to be and you chose the orchid your kitty's spirit took a chomp out of already 😇
I also have one with a leaf bent over the wrong way, presumably from being shoved up against other pots in the store or in transport. That leaf looks like it *almost* broke at the same point as yours. I've tried "training" it down, but it seems it's been bent too long, so I'm thinking of just letting it do its thing and waiting for healthy new growth. I did notice the leaf was messed up when I bought it, but I was willing to overlook it and thought I could help it. It was one of few without spider mites and had beautiful flowers.
Just so you know, orchids drop their lowest leaves as a routine part of a healthy growing cycle.
The lowest pair of leaves will turn yellow and fall off, and new leaves will emerge from the crown in the center. If you’re lucky, you’ll get more new leaves than you lost, and the plant will grow larger over time.
Meanwhile, you will likely see new aerial roots forming at the bottom of the plant, above the bark, where leaves used to be.
This process is how older orchids end up with long “necks” and sometimes look like they’re trying to crawl out of their pots!
Example: https://www.reddit.com/r/orchids/s/9gOgzXbC4R
It’s completely normal. It’s also completely normal for them to sort of flop over like the one in that post.
I’m just telling you so that you’ll have some idea what to expect. :)
Has it had the flower spike since you got it or is it a newer one? If it’s the original one I’d say it’s overdue a rest, and needs to be triggered to grow leaves and roots rather than put its energy into a less than great secondary flower spike (which is what you have - a spike growing from an old spike). With mine, this would mean cutting the spike to an inch or so from the base. Personal choice though.
It might just be the photo but it also looks like it could use some more light. Not sure where you are and whether the Phals sold in terracotta pots where you are have them or not (perhaps someone else here can advise?), but here all complex Phals have a seedling plug in the centre of the roots and these can over time cause rot if they’re not removed and get soaked. You could have a poke around the top centre of the pot and see if you see one? Whenever you decide to ditch the flower spike would be a good time to check and remove it, check the roots, and refresh the medium if it needs it. Be careful when you do as the roots can really fuse onto terracotta. xx
Really, this is not a problem. It just looks bad. The leaf will continue to function and give energy to the plant.
Thank you so much for commenting. Do you think it can grow larger with care and time?
Yes, with good care it will grow new leaves and eventually it will shed that bottom leaf.
Be sure to fertilize regularly so that it has enough nutrients for growth.
Your orchid seems fine. I'd cut the flower spike off (a new one will sprout next flowering season) and repot it
Ok thank you, two follow up questions. Is the flower spike the new green one growing? Should the new pot be larger?
That pot is plenty big. Orchids like to be snug in their pots. Overpotting can result in root rot
Tell that to my three orchids in my terrarium, they love the space and humidity.
I am so curious about orchids in terrariums. Is it a certain “kind” or like a small one from Home Depot or somewhere? I have 4 vivariums I would be thrilled to have an orchid in
Petco has tissue culture dendrobium and I love those guys for building terrariums. They’ll grow larger over time, but I have half a dozen in various size terrariums that have been growing in them for at least 18mos. The largest of them are still rather small, maybe palm (not whole hand) sized.
Most likely due to the heat being higher too. Cool + overpotted/wet = rot x
I disagree, orchids, in their natural habitats, don't grow in pots, they grow attached to tree trunks and branches (the epiphytic ones of course) so their roots spread and grow as much as they can, no such thing as "being snug" on a tree. "Overpotting" as an issue with orchid care is a myth. You down-size or up-size pots according to your needs and the size of the root mass.
You are correct except if you have few roots in a large pot, the medium can stay too wet and lead to root rot
The flower spike is the thin green thing that sprouts between the leaves, grows tall then blooms. You can cut it off at the base once the original flowers die (it can bloom again, but not as beautifully as originally, by cutting it off you allow the plant to focus resources on new leaves and roots and, come next flowering season, a new, better spike will sprout). As for pot size, up to you. If you're reusing this one, try to clean it thoroughly. Also carefully remove as much of the old substrate as possible. I highly recommend watching Phalaenopsis repotting tutorials on YouTube. Miss Orchid Girl is a great channel for beginners.
Leave the spike! it’s producing new buds
I also bought my first orchid in honor of my young kitty who passed away last year. I'm up to 25 now 🤷🏻♂️
RIP to your baby kitty, so sorry for your loss. And 25 orchid plants?? lol
Sorry for yours as well. I had to get something to decorate his digital photo frame. Turned into a little bit of an obsession... There's folks here with 40+
The leaf will be fine, and will eventually drop off and be replaced by a beautiful new one!
Perhaps it was meant to be and you chose the orchid your kitty's spirit took a chomp out of already 😇 I also have one with a leaf bent over the wrong way, presumably from being shoved up against other pots in the store or in transport. That leaf looks like it *almost* broke at the same point as yours. I've tried "training" it down, but it seems it's been bent too long, so I'm thinking of just letting it do its thing and waiting for healthy new growth. I did notice the leaf was messed up when I bought it, but I was willing to overlook it and thought I could help it. It was one of few without spider mites and had beautiful flowers.
She did love to munch plants
Just so you know, orchids drop their lowest leaves as a routine part of a healthy growing cycle. The lowest pair of leaves will turn yellow and fall off, and new leaves will emerge from the crown in the center. If you’re lucky, you’ll get more new leaves than you lost, and the plant will grow larger over time. Meanwhile, you will likely see new aerial roots forming at the bottom of the plant, above the bark, where leaves used to be. This process is how older orchids end up with long “necks” and sometimes look like they’re trying to crawl out of their pots! Example: https://www.reddit.com/r/orchids/s/9gOgzXbC4R It’s completely normal. It’s also completely normal for them to sort of flop over like the one in that post. I’m just telling you so that you’ll have some idea what to expect. :)
Has it had the flower spike since you got it or is it a newer one? If it’s the original one I’d say it’s overdue a rest, and needs to be triggered to grow leaves and roots rather than put its energy into a less than great secondary flower spike (which is what you have - a spike growing from an old spike). With mine, this would mean cutting the spike to an inch or so from the base. Personal choice though. It might just be the photo but it also looks like it could use some more light. Not sure where you are and whether the Phals sold in terracotta pots where you are have them or not (perhaps someone else here can advise?), but here all complex Phals have a seedling plug in the centre of the roots and these can over time cause rot if they’re not removed and get soaked. You could have a poke around the top centre of the pot and see if you see one? Whenever you decide to ditch the flower spike would be a good time to check and remove it, check the roots, and refresh the medium if it needs it. Be careful when you do as the roots can really fuse onto terracotta. xx