last legs or new hope?

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Barders, Oct 9, 2021.

  1. Barders

    Barders Gardener

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    Hello my gardening lovelies,

    I don't usually have house plants, as they don't seem to last long (I think I have been killing them with kindness :sad:).

    Anyway, a friend bought me some small Orchids and this is the last one, with the last flower!

    However, there is something growing out/up and I wasn't sure if it was a root that escaped the pot or (fingers crossed) that it is going to be a new stem with some more flowers on?

    Any suggestions please?

    Many thanks in advance. :spinning:

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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Its another flower spike.
    I'd be wary of trying to turn it upwards, they snap off quite easily.
     
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    • Barders

      Barders Gardener

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      Thank you @pete, how exciting :dancy: I won't touch it, but if it does straighten up, I can use one of the little clips to support it with a kane already in the pot.

      Many thanks, something nice to look forward to :smile:
       
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      • ricky101

        ricky101 Total Gardener

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        Hmmm... might have to disagree there with @pete.

        Have generally found the flower stems can to quiet flexible and strong, so if you carefully hold it , avoiding the buds, about mid way or higher you should find it will bend upwards without a lot of pressure.

        As you move it upright you will get some idea of how flexible it is, but if it seems not to want to go up too high for now, then stop there and position the cane to support it at that angle for a week and then move it some more later. Avoid trying to make it bend at the spikes base as that may well break it, that lower part of the spike may remain more horizontal.

        Some web comments that plants are more disposed to training after they have been watered.

        You can now cut off that spent spike down at its base with some clippers (small scissors often not strong enough) and use that cane and clip.

        It must be liking your watering and feeding routine to be putting out another flower spike so soon :)
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Think you covered it there Ricky.;)
          Just didn't want to say, yeah you can bend it, then get the reply, it snapped.:biggrin:

          I have managed to bend flowering stems , not necessarily of orchids, and then come back a few hours later and found them snapped, as the plant has taken up water.
           
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          • Barders

            Barders Gardener

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            Hi @ricky101 that is really helpful, thank you.

            I certainly don't want to snap it, as I am amazed it has lived this long, let alone decided to present me with some more lovely flowers (hopefully!).

            I will water it as normal tomorrow, then leave it a while and then gently test it, as you say.

            Many thanks again to you both @ricky101 @pete perhaps my houseplant bad luck is finally changing :dbgrtmb:
             
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            • Selleri

              Selleri Koala

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              Yes, you can gently bend the stem upwards but there's really no need for that. The flowering stems of a Phalaenopsis orchid will look graceful as they are, arching downwards.

              A very nice plant you have there @Barders :)
               
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              • Barders

                Barders Gardener

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                Thank you @Selleri that is kind.

                I don't want to over think this now but I was wondering if I should get a bigger pot? (one with holes in the bottom).

                I will let it does it's thing for a while, I am not worried by the ascetics of it, just so pleased to have more of the beautiful flowers. :spinning:
                 
              • ricky101

                ricky101 Total Gardener

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                [QUOTE="Barders, post: 1341232, member: 16048"
                I was wondering if I should get a bigger pot? (one with holes in the bottom).

                I will let it does it's thing for a while, I am not worried by the ascetics of it, just so pleased to have more of the beautiful flowers. :spinning:[/QUOTE]

                It does not look root bound and you do not want to disturb it while in bud/flower; wait until all flowering has finished if you must repot it.

                Go for a clear pot with holes in the bottom, most garden centers stock the proper clear orchid pots in various sizes.
                 
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                • Barders

                  Barders Gardener

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                  Thank you @ricky101, I will leave it in peace to do it's thing then.

                  In the meantime, I will have a look around for the pots for the future.

                  Thanks again :thumbsup:
                   
                • Selleri

                  Selleri Koala

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                  Orchids do enjoy translucent pots to allow sunlight through, but they are not essential. Drainage holes are essential though, unless you are very careful with watering.

                  They don't really need bigger pots, but rather fresh growing medium as when the medium gets old and goes mushy the roots can rot. When re-potting, older and any damaged roots can be trimmed off and the plant can go into the same pot. If the current pot doesn't have drainage holes, punch some in with kitchen scissors. (Sounds very unprofessional, perhaps I should have recommended to drill some in or to use a Plastic Pot Drainage Hole Puncturing Device With Bluetooth Control :heehee: )

                  Orchid "compost" is widely available, here's one from The Range. Any leftovers can be used when re-potting cacti and succulents.

                  Regarding "waiting until the flowering is over" can be a bit of a challenge with Orchids. My Dad got a very pot bound one, and decided to wait for it to stop flowering before repotting. The plant flowered two years straight. :biggrin:
                   
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                  • Barders

                    Barders Gardener

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                    HI @Selleri thank you for this advice.

                    The pot it came in does have lots of holes, like sieve holes and I let the water run through the pot once a week, and leave it on the draining board, then when all the water has drained through put it back on the mat in the window, which it seems to like.

                    But I do like a gadget, the hole punching device sounds interesting ;)

                    Thank you for the link to the Orchid compost. I don't have any other plants in the house, but might give something else a go, like a succulent :biggrin:

                    WOW 2 years, that must be a lovely plant! This one arrived in May, a friend sent it, so now I have high hopes of it lasting much longer. The flowers are so delicate, unlike me, that's why I don't have any other house plants, I'm a bit clumsy :psnp: but am trying extra hard now :)

                    Thanks again Selleri, really excited to see it grow now.:spinning:
                     
                  • ricky101

                    ricky101 Total Gardener

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                    You want to have a look at Catcti, Succulents and House leeks as they enjoy a sunny windowcill and are all generally bomb proof needing minimum attention.

                    For less sunny windows plenty of small ferns will grow well alongside the orchid, but why not get some more, often some good ones in the big supermarkets for just £5 rather than the expensive ones in fancy ceramic pots.

                    As well as garden centres, worth checking places like the Range and Wilko who often have trays of such plants at very cheap prices.


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                    • Barders

                      Barders Gardener

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                      House leeks, wow I have never heard of them, but having just searched for them (and they didn't look anything like I had imagined :heehee:), I think I will have a go, thank you @ricky101 :dbgrtmb:

                      I will have a look around in the charity shops to see if I can get a terracotta 'pan' bowl. In the meantime, thank you for the information about Range and Wilko. We don't have a Range here, but when out and about will keep my eye open for one and in the meantime, will have a look in Wilko.

                      It would be nice to have more indoor plants and I feel inspired now that I can actually keep some alive :biggrin:
                       
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                      • strongylodon

                        strongylodon Old Member

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                        B&Q had packs of Sempervivums (Houseleeeks) here last week.
                         
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