Orchid Culture - Questions & Answers from This Month
by Sue Bottom, from the St. Augustine Orchid Society Newsletter. Email us with any orchid question. If we can't answer it, we'll find someone who can! Send photographs too!
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Pyschopsis Flower Bud Damaged
Q. Somehow, my second spike got damaged in its development stage. Her twin bloomed and luckily I have a new spike in the back coming! I think now I can cut the failed second spike. How far down should I cut?A. I wouldn't cut the flower spike unless it browns and withers. Even if the flower bud is damaged, as long as the spike is green and viable, you might think about getting it to bloom from the next node down. Gently tug back the paper sheath protecting the node, and then just wait and watch to see if a flower bud forms there. (May-23)
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Oncidium Flower Spike Deformed
Q. This oncidium has bloomed in the past with many flower spikes. It recently put out spikes which have gotten deformed. They do not strengthen, are curling and tend to break off. None of the leaves are accordioned, so I don’t think it's poor watering. BTW The new shoots are very thick and look rather healthy, at least in circumference. Its just that they curl and refuse to strengthen up) It was in a south facing, filtered window for a long time. When it looked like the new spikes were going to be deformed, I moved it to a nearby east facing window with a full spectrum LED light, but that didn’t improve the situation.A. The flower spikes grow towards the light, and sometimes a spike starts out under a leaf and then curls a little bit til it finds the light to grow towards. So maybe it did not respond well to being relocated from the south to the east facing window, although the deformity apparently started while it was still in the south window. I would move it back to the south window, where it apparently thrived. It is possible there is a calcium deficiency causing the spikes to not strengthen, but my gues it is likely mostly a light issue. (May-23)
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What's Eating My Flowers
Q. Something has been snacking on the orchid flowers. Could it be a caterpillar, althought we have not been able to spot any, or any other insects. Any suggestions?A. It could be caterpillars although you would think you would see some caterpillar poop, and it could be cockroaches, it could be snails/slugs but you'd think you'd see slime trails. The bigger the bites, the bigger the critter, so probably cockroaches or mice/rats would be my suspicion. If it were caterpillars, you would spray with BT, if it were cockroaches, bait with boric acid, there are various baits for snails and slugs and are traps/poison for rodents. Best of luck! (May-23)