Is it worth worrying if the orchid has a dried flower spike and what to do in such a situation?

Orchid - capricious, but, despite this, a popular plant among flower lovers.

However, such a phenomenon as a dried flower spike many still remains cause for excitement.

In what cases is this a normal process, and when is it still worth sounding the alarm, and what to do if the flower stalks dry out completely together with other parts of the plant?

The purpose of the flower shoot

When the rest period of the orchid is over, the plant rested and gaining strength releases a temporary process - the peduncle, with the appearance of which the flowering period begins. Bud formation and growth occurs on the pedunclethat bloom over time. The end of flowering means that the flower spike fulfilled its primary task.

Appearance of withered escape

When drying, the peduncle loses its rigidity and elasticity, gradually changes its appearance: the green color fades and the color becomes brown and purple. Moisture disappears in the dried part, photosynthesis stops, there are no processes of vital activity - death occurs.

When is it abnormal?

If the peduncle begins to turn yellow and dry after the blooming of the orchid, when all the flowers have dried and fell off - there is no reason to worry. If the peduncle wilting occurs simultaneously with the formation of buds on it or during flowering, it is worth thinking about what the flower sprout dries out, and check whether the care provided to the plant corresponds to what is needed.

Why is this happening?

Long away the drying of the peduncle is not always a natural processIt is often provoked by external factors.

• Wrong lighting. If the orchid lacks light, not only the flower stalks, but also the leaves, aerial roots, not fully formed buds dry out, and photosynthesis also slows down. However, we must not forget that both bright light and direct sunlight are dangerous for the flower. It is best to place an orchid in partial shade.
• Excess or lack of nutrients. Too frequent use of fertilizers will cause orchid harm rather than benefit: it will dry leaves, peduncle, roots, buds will fall off. With a lack of nutrition, the plant will develop too slowly or not at all.
• Air humidity. Due to the insufficient level of air humidity, in a dry climate, the general condition of the plant will deteriorate, unblown flowers will fall off, the peduncle will wither, and if the humidity is excessive, the process of rotting may begin.
• Hypothermia. The air temperature should not be below +14 degrees. Due to hypothermia, the orchid will drop buds, and the peduncle will wither. You can not place the plant under the air conditioner or often and long to ventilate the room in the winter.
• Overheating roots. Orchids love heat, but still it is worth overheating them. Do not leave the plant in the sun, near a heating radiator in the winter or under a stream of hot air from an air conditioner.
• Stress. If you “move” an orchid to a new place, it will experience shock, as the light, temperature, and humidity of the air change. The consequence of this stress will be the cessation of flowering and dropping the buds.

You should not turn the pot with orchid on the light in order to provide uniform natural light - the plant regards such actions as stress for yourself.

What to do when drying?

Is it worth cutting?

When the orchid has blossomed, a period of rest has begun and there is complete confidence that the plant is resting and will not bloom in the near future - the time has come to cut the dry peduncle.

Most often this happens in the middle or late fall, but one should always focus not on the calendar and time of the year, but on the condition of the peduncle itself - it can be cut off only after complete dryingwhen there is no living kidney. Otherwise, you can harm the orchid, weaken it, because it will use all its power to heal the wound.

Do I need to repot?

Over moistening is one of the reasons for the drying of the peduncle. It is necessary to carefully examine the roots and assess their condition: the green color indicates their health, light with a silver tint - the plant is resting, but the brown and black color indicates rotting of the root system or other diseases.

In this case, the transplant is a mandatory measure. It is necessary:

1. Remove the plant from the pot.
2. Rinse the roots thoroughly.
3. Remove all damaged areas.
4. To process places of cuts with antiseptic.
5. Leave overnight to dry.
6. Put an orchid in a new substrate with a good drainage layer.

For successful adaptation of the plant, the pot should be removed in a dark place, and watering should be replaced by spraying with soft water at room temperature.

Removal rules

If only the tip of the peduncle has turned yellow in the plant, and it is still green, there is no need to cut it. For a more aesthetic appearance of the plant, only a dry tip can be cut, and the whole spike is removed only after it has completely dried. This will require:

1. Prepare and pre-sanitize pruner or sharp knife.
2. Carefully cut dry process.
3. Leave after this stump size of a maximum of 2 cm.
4. Sprinkle the slice with an antiseptic (you can use crushed activated or charcoal).
5. In case there are dry leaves on the orchid, it is necessary to remove them in the same way.

Plant care with faded flower shoots

In order to avoid negative consequences, the orchid must be left alone for some time, but some conditions must be met:

• in spite of the fact that in summer the comfortable air temperature for an orchid should be + 22-25 degrees, and in the winter - + 16-18, in the first few weeks after cutting the dried peduncle, the temperature should be lowered to + 20-22 degrees;
• minimize watering, but do not allow the soil to dry out;
• limit the time the plant is in the light and exclude too bright lighting;
• maintain air humidity at a level of 50-60%;
• regularly ventilate the room without air stagnation;
• eliminate fertilizers in the first month after the procedure, then feed no more than once a month;
• spray regularly with soft water, the temperature of which should be 35-40 degrees.

Dried orchid peduncle - not such a terrible phenomenon, as it might seem, and pruning it, if necessary, is not difficult. The main thing is not to panic, but to sensibly assess the condition of the plant and, if necessary, proceed to action. Treat the orchid with care and attention, and she will thank you for its beautiful flowers.

Watch the video: Phalaenopsis Orchid spike is drying - what to do? (April 2024).