My Moth orchid shed its last bloom after almost 2 months. now it looks
awful...bare. What do I do now? When, if at all new blooms would appear.
About a half inch below that last bloom is what i believe the next bloom
would appear...but its so skimpy looking...about a 1/4" long. Seems
like it may take months for it to bear a bloom if at all. BTW, what is
that 'thing' called? A spike? I personally would like to cut the long
stem down furthur to make it look more compact. Does this work like a
plant when you try to induce more growth?

In my opinion, the best thing to do is leave it alone and grow it until the
next time it wants to bloom.

Yes, one can cut the spike (raceme, actually; see
http://www.firstrays.com/inflorescences.htm) just above the third node up
from the base - or just below the point of the lowest flower (often the
same) - to "force" branching and reblooming, but it can be a significant
drain on the plant's energy, so I prefer to let it decide for itself, so
just leave it alone.

If the appearance is that aggravating to you, feel free to remove the
inflorescence altogether. After the plants sees a couple weeks of 10°-15°F
day/night temperature drops in the autumn, it will initiate a new one, and
by that time, if you've cared well for it, it will have built up sufficient
energy stores to make that blooming be just as good or even better of a show
than last time.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"boothbay" wrote in message
...
My Moth orchid shed its last bloom after almost 2 months. now it looks
awful...bare. What do I do now? When, if at all new blooms would appear.
About a half inch below that last bloom is what i believe the next bloom
would appear...but its so skimpy looking...about a 1/4" long. Seems like
it may take months for it to bear a bloom if at all. BTW, what is that
'thing' called? A spike? I personally would like to cut the long stem
down furthur to make it look more compact. Does this work like a plant
when you try to induce more growth?

Dont cut it until you Know that it is not going to send out another spike
below the last flower of the old one
"Ray" wrote in message
...
In my opinion, the best thing to do is leave it alone and grow it until
the next time it wants to bloom.

Yes, one can cut the spike (raceme, actually; see
http://www.firstrays.com/inflorescences.htm) just above the third node up
from the base - or just below the point of the lowest flower (often the
same) - to "force" branching and reblooming, but it can be a significant
drain on the plant's energy, so I prefer to let it decide for itself, so
just leave it alone.

If the appearance is that aggravating to you, feel free to remove the
inflorescence altogether. After the plants sees a couple weeks of
10°-15°F day/night temperature drops in the autumn, it will initiate a new
one, and by that time, if you've cared well for it, it will have built up
sufficient energy stores to make that blooming be just as good or even
better of a show than last time.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"boothbay" wrote in message
...
My Moth orchid shed its last bloom after almost 2 months. now it looks
awful...bare. What do I do now? When, if at all new blooms would appear.
About a half inch below that last bloom is what i believe the next bloom
would appear...but its so skimpy looking...about a 1/4" long. Seems like
it may take months for it to bear a bloom if at all. BTW, what is that
'thing' called? A spike? I personally would like to cut the long stem
down furthur to make it look more compact. Does this work like a plant
when you try to induce more growth?