How to Identify Orchid Flower Spikes & Roots // Phalaenopsis Care for Beginners

[@elizabethsodahl9659]

Finally …how to tell the difference between a spike and a root. Thank you so much.

[@glendasorchids4291]

As a beginner at growing orchids,I found your video very helpful. Thanks.

[@OrchieDee]

Glenda McDonald glad it helped you :) enjoy your orchid journey!

[@divinewind7405]

I concur. Thank you . 🙏

[@bimalchanda8847]

Valuable suggestion.

[@laurigardner-rhodes7125]

I watched a bunch of videos recommended by Google and this is by far the best explanation I have found yet. Thanks for the great info!!!

[@jeannettemiley441]

This was the most helpful video EVER!! Thank you for clarifying it; I’ve been so confused on how to tell for sure! You can test me now thanks to your awesome video 😃 Also I love the accent! I know it’s just how you speak normally to you but to us foreigners it’s a delight to hear 👂 🎶 😊

[@MariaBeylo]

Finally an amazing video to help me become an Orchid Enthusiast!! BTW, I just took a minute and released the long root that I was hoping was a spike. I am looking forward to listening to all of your videos! Many thanks and sending positive loving energy to you!

[@Belongtonoone]

This was super helpful, I was hopeful my orchid was having a baby stem and from what you've shown I think it is a spike not a root 🥳 and the flowering will depend on when/where it was bought and then it getting used to its new home makes so much sense, I was given mine in October last year and its just finished the second flowering earlier this week ❤

[@tranvansonnhatrang]

Your orchids are very beautiful and healthy. Thank you for watching. Wish you happy.💕💌✅🤝👍

[@wandashaw3551]

Great information. I've been growing Phals for over three years now and I still have to double check! Happy Growing🌿🌱🌷🐝🐞

[@lindamesinar2602]

Thank you from Las Vegas, Nevada! I have never removed keikis or transplanted my orchids but need to now, so I watched your wonderful video and now although I am still nervous, I’ll give it a try. Your video was perfect, the sound and camera angles. So much good info to help me along. My plants were gifts, one from my grandchildren 8 or 9 years ago and now which has bloomed every year and sometimes twice a year but now is falling over and growing downhill. The other orchid has two keikis with lots of roots everywhere so I think they need a new hone. Wish me luck. I don’t have all the supplies you recommend but I’ll try and acquire them eventually. Thank you for all this great help. Linda

[@kathieratcliff3149]

Fantastic! Still looking for a video on where exactly to cut flower stem once finished blooming. At node? I need photo of said node! Lol

[@dianacloud9793]

Thank you so much for the teaching of my hobby. Very very good learning skills right there I appreciate that.

[@caraw7003]

This was so helpful. Thank you from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada!

[@orchidelirium9102]

Love this. Even when you’ve been growing for a while it can still be a struggle figuring out what is what. Coupled with the hope for a spike and how long it takes for them to be in an “obvious” state we growers can be left scratching our heads. 🤣

[@colleenmcdonnell5713]

Thank you for the great video. I have one phal with new growth that hasn’t bloomed in a long time, so I am hopeful that it’s a spike. I wanted to comment on your statement regarding when to water. It was my understanding that orchid roots grown in clear pots are green because they are exposed to light and air, contain chlorophyll and photosynthesize. White roots would not necessarily indicate the need to water, dry medium might be a better way to tell if a plant needs water. I have heard other people make that statement but I’m not sure it’s 100% accurate. Otherwise, the video was really helpful, thank you.

[@bakecookandcreate9948]

Thank you! Easy pleasant listening voice and content very informative. Although i feel very disappointed that what i thought were spikes are just roots after watching and learning from your video, I am happy that they are healthy and I'll be keeping an eye out for that elusive spikes! 😁

[@conniechan5189]

Thanks for sharing how to tell the difference between root and spike.

[@noahokin5581]

You’re really hitting us with the doctor words today anterior, lateral, nubbin 😉😂 Very helpful video btw!

[@OrchieDee]

Noah Okin 😂😂 sometimes I forget. Lol.. not sure about a medical nubbin though 🤣

[@noahokin5581]

Orchie Dee I think it’s great! Luckily I remember some of my anatomy lesson from high school 😂 You have to keep us sharp somehow 🤷‍♂️

[@PaNdeM0niuM]

Very informative. I always have trouble differentiating between flower spikes vs new growths vs roots

[@margarethampel2797]

good information, as i am still learning,how to grow ,& look after my orchid

[@thegiftlady1]

Great close up's! Perfect to see the difference. Ty.

[@KP-gw5zv]

I have 2 phals in bloom and Have many other phals that have lots of roots emerging. However I have 1 phal that may have a flower spike emerging but I have to keep an eye on it and watch. It may turn into a root but who knows. I will keep you posted. Thank you for this info. Love the video. Enjoy your new flower spikes and have a real great day.

[@OrchieDee]

Kim Paquette you’ll know soon enough :) have a lovely weekend xx

[@doctorlovelyorchid7532]

Great information! Love the orchid collection!

[@frithbrophy8252]

Another great video Dee.....lots of Phal blooms to come :)

[@NinjaOrchids]

Lots of color on its way! 🤩 hope you and everyone close to you are doing well 😃💐

[@OrchieDee]

Ninja_Orchids months away but I do love watching them grow!

[@cmbryan1979]

I just came across this video as I finally decided to try keeping an orchid again. I now have three and they appear to be done producing new blooms, except 1 plant whick still has new ones yet to open up. Great video 😊

[@juliethreyes2451]

Phals can and do reflower from the same stems (kinda). I recommend when blooms fall (while stem is still green) to cut above the 3 node. The orchid will take time to rest but usually within 1-3 months you will see a new growth from the top node that is branching off and will bloom and flower in it’s time 😊

[@OrchieDee]

Yes I used to keep them. But they blooms do not last as long on secondary spikes and are not as 'showy' , and definitely can be more unruly. What I don't like, is that often, the plant will initiate a new spike in autumn from an old flower spike INSTEAD of producing a new one. Which is why I now cut old spikes. In the shadehouse now (my new setup), I have more space, and more light means more energy to produce new spikes in addition, but I will still cut them to keep the flowerings more managable and tidy. It really is a personal choice though!!

[@jackiehill6557]

It’s Spring time here in the UK and my phals are sprouting both flower spikes and roots. I think it is at least three or four times a day I inspect the plants to see how they are doing. I accidentally knocked a tip on one of the flower spikes and it broke off, but it is sprouting again! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your phals in bloom.

[@OrchieDee]

Jackie Hill very nice! I wish I had more summer blooming hybrids!

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

Cannot wait for the blooms to show! And the video of them!!! ❤️

[@carolinewilloughby414]

Such a helpful video.. thankyou. I notice your plants are in the clear pots but then into pretty solid pots... i was always under the impression these were a no no. Can i have some advice on that please

[@OrchieDee]

It really depends on many factors. Your climate, how you water your plants and what media they are planted in. If you watch my recent videos, you'll see I keep my orchids in a shadehouse now. Definitely no decorative pots if they can are outside with no drainage and can get waterlogged. I keep them in trays. Indoors, using decorative containers is not a problem at all if you water the plants at the water source, let them drain and then put them back in the container - this is what I did in winter. My summers are 30+ C ... it is really really hot. So I used to water them insitu with a water sprayer (modified to drip out instead of 'spray'). 1) I know my plants and climate well so know how much to water each plant. 2) I actually wanted a small amount of water remaining inside the pot so I wouldn't have to water more than twice a week - that water was absorbed by good root systems / appropriate setup (with a sphagnum mix) and also evaporation very very quickly - within a few days. There are no really hard rules with plants, but more about modifying to suit your plant, climate, and watering habits :) . Hope this helps!

[@balckbettystack]

I've got the same white book shelf Kmart. Expect mine is covered with water because of the plants.

[@indianapatterson-blake9993]

thanks for sharing, very informative ❤

[@pamelamarydesigns2]

Incredible informative video!

[@CelticBearWoman]

Excellent, very instructful.

[@napaw4239]

My small phal is in buds right now. I really can't wait for it to bloom.

[@snail9552]

Hello is it blooming or dried? I had a orchid stem for 2 years now and it’s flowering

[@scuddlebug1]

I rescued a phalaenopsis orchid from a friend who was going to throw it out since it wasn't reblooming. It had a lot of dead roots so I cut them all out and repotted the plant. The plant is looking much healthier and sending out new roots. It also developed a flower stalk, however, once the bud nodes started showing little clear bubbles appeared on the stalk tip and flower nodes eventially what appears to be killing the stalk. Any idea what this is or what caused this to happen?

[@kayjongsma4485]

So helpful thank you ❤

[@amandamedlin9785]

Great information. I’ve never repotted my orchid, any advice would be welcomed. Also once flowered what’s the best thing to keep plant healthy in order to reflower?

[@nonyanonya6389]

Is it better to repot before or after it spikes??

[@OrchieDee]

After it spikes. Unless you are worried about the orchid being sick (e.g. rotting roots, pest infection), then I would repot earlier. Phalaenopsis tend to tolerate repotting well though even if done during spiking, but you may as well enjoy the blooms then repot after.

[@madamplant]

This was great. It helped me a lot ❤

[@adamzaneagle]

what does it mean when the little node turns completely white? something happened with my dendrobium and it's got a bunch of new growth happening everywhere

[@sussierachelpeterson7770]

Very helpful video.. can't wait to see their lovely blooms. Greetings from Port vila, Vanuatu

[@shonw6469]

I live in an apartment and I'm on the top floor and my orchid doesn't seems to want to spike. (Heat rises and makes my house very warm) I've repotted the plant it sits near my bay window and it's cold. I have some growth but not quite sure if it's spike (too early) is there anything else I can do???

[@Kenzie1792]

So im new to orchids, and my question is: because flower nurseries can trick phals. when to spike, after we bring the plant home, how do we determine whether our phal is a spring/summer or fall/winter bloomer? how are we suppose to know what season to lower to the temperature in our homes to initiate a flower spike?

[@tboy887]

So damn clear and informative!

[@bonnieterry994]

Do you have to cut the stem after flowering?

[@GucciGirl044]

Hi just wondering do I cut my old flower stems ? The flowers fell off ages ago and the stems are still green... no new flower shoots yet. Thanks Susan

[@annawu3810]

I did not cut my flower spike it still green and the new bud and flower grow again from it.

[@luislandofficial]

I’d say leave it if it’s still green they can reflowed again. Good luck

[@cramersbackyard9634]

Quite helpful, thanks.

[@colleenneville]

Just wanted to ask your opinion on the low temperatures for Phals. As I’m in the Southwest of WA our temps get down to single digits - 6 tonight, max 19 tomorrow. My Phals are in an enclosed deck which goes down to about 10. Due to these low temps I’m reluctant to use sphagnum moss in them to avoid really wet cold moisture against the roots and also don’t know whether I should bring them inside the house where its still going to get down to about 12 or 13 at night. Would really appreciate your views please.

[@OrchieDee]

Hey Colleen, I'd bring the phals inside. My opinion is they'll do generally better indoors (even compared to the deck) just because conditions will be more controlled / less harsh. So I'd tend to agree in terms of not using sphagnum. I use sphagnum because my summers are hot, but even in winter, if I get temps down below 10C, my days are still above 20C usually. They'll be happy in a straight bark mix too, you'll just have to adjust your watering accordingly in summer :) . But being indoors, mine rarely get down to temps below 15C, and they don't get that combination dangerous combo of low temps and high humidity like they would if they were outdoors (even on the deck). It's up to you though, never know how far you can push plants, but I would bring them in.....

[@colleenneville]

Orchie Dee Thanks for that, I think I’ll take your advice. I have been worrying about them and as I’m new to this it seems to be a lot of trial and error and dealing with disasters ( and I have quite a number of them always in recovery mode). It’s great being able to ask for Aussie advice. Nearest orchid society is 60 kms away.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

Your Phals spike a lot earlier than mine do. Mine don't spike until January or February (meaning after the winter solstice), whereas yours are starting before the winter solstice. It also means that mine don't stay in bloom as long, the heat causes the blooms to fade in about two months in most cases. I thought with our cooler than normal November this year they would have spiked earlier, but no.

[@OrchieDee]

Interesting Michael.. I do keep mine next to the window and still keep the window open at night until minimum temps are below about 15C .... maybe that gets them going a bit earlier?

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

@@OrchieDee mine all live outside. We had temps drop down to as low as 12 in November, which is not typical, but they all spiked at the same time. There are times I wonder if temperature is the only factor. I have one that I bought for my mom as a mother's day gift a few years ago, that one always spikes later than the rest and comes in to full bloom for mother's day in May. P..S. I think, finally, my Dendrobium moschatum is going to bloom. It has two somethings on it that I'm now fairly certain are spikes, not keikis. 🤞

[@jim1407]

Thanks!

[@wathah323]

why mine is straight going upwards and not hanging.

[@niccienglezos3464]

Hi Deanna Can I ask where you got your phal. Vesuvius from? I’ve been searching for one for ages.

[@OrchieDee]

Nicci Englezos I had to look it up! I got it from orchids Mackay about 2 years ago

[@niccienglezos3464]

Orchie Dee Thank you

[@melodylamour6123]

All I see on mine so far is a pimple beside the old spike

[@markdale278]

Have you ever seen an Orchid with 3 flower spikes ?

[@ono7077]

Hi hope you doing well I am missing you for a while from my channel . Hope you drop in sometime Regards Hamim Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@sraa1952]

Very confusing explanation/narrative 👎👎👎

[@mszxkay]

Super helpful.