Orchid stems are exposed to breakage when they are heavy with blooming flowers or whenever they are moved to another location. The thin stems — also called spikes — are formed into sections separated by a node every few inches. Breakage frequently occurs at the node. A partially broken stem doesn’t damage the overall health or increase of the orchid, but it might cause blooming flowers to wilt or die.
Staking
A partially damaged flower stem or spike might be staked to support it and support recovery. Choose a small stick, a chopstick or a florist stem encourage stick and a small length of florist tape or masking tape to begin the repair job. Insert one end of the stick gently into the orchid-potting medium close to the partially broken stem. It should be 1 to 1 1/2 inches into the plant root system to provide decent balance and support. Tape or tie the stem into the stick just over the broken spot. The injured area may continue to grow and treat over to your present bloom cycle.
Reblooming After an Injury
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are commonly available and are an orchid species which may rebloom from a wounded, cut or older flower spike. The injured stem could possibly be left to treat at the broken spot with the possibility that it’ll create another stem with blossoms. A new flower spike will expand in an uninjured node under the partially broken part of the stem. The blossoms are likely to be smaller in dimension compared to the previous blooms. The injured stem may appear ungainly and treat with a thick roughness at the broken spot. If the plant is weak, then it might not rebloom efficiently.
Cut Away From the Injured Stem
A partially broken stem may also be cut completely. The plant isn’t harmed at all, but there’ll be no blossoms until the next bloom cycle. With a sharp, sterile pruning clipper, cut the stem near the spot where it originates from the plant base. Nonsterile pruning clippers can spread viruses. A cut may also be produced leaving 2 nodes on the stem. Nodes are small brown lines which separate the stem into segments. One of these nodes might initiate growth and create another set of blossoms in eight to 12 weeks.
Continuing Care
Continue to provide the injured orchid plant appropriate services to encourage new blooms within another growth cycle. Insufficient light is the primary cause of failure to bloom. Orchids need lots of light and prosper near a window. Outdoor orchids do well beneath a massive tree canopy where they receive a great deal of light while shaded from sunlight. The best method to determine whether an orchid is receiving adequate light is by its leaf color. Too much light produces scorched spots, and too small light produces dark green leaves. Healthy orchid leaves are light to medium green with yellow tones.