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My Phalaenopsis is not creating new roots.

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Dutzya, Jan 27, 2017.

  1. Dutzya

    Dutzya New Member

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    Hello everyone. I am in need of some advice, you see, I have this noid phalaenopsis that I bought from a home improvement store about 5 years ago. A few months ago I had to move house and of course she did too. Nothing has changed too much when it comes to light because at my former home they were in a N-E facing window now they are at a full N facing window. At a first glance everything looks ok but the thing with her is that she stopped producing roots and she has a 9 month old huge flower spike that keeps branching out and blooming (this is the third time it decided to branch out) and on top of that she decided to push out another leaf. Because my new place is a bit more humid, after I moved I decided to repot her from a bark & coconut husk medium to a bark & lecca medium. But I don’t think that is the reason she stopped, because even before I moved she wasn’t producing roots. Now, in the pot, the current root system is pretty big and pretty healthy.
    So, I don’t know what to think or do about, is this a problem? is it because of the flower spike, should I cut it? Is it because of the changes, or because it’s winter? But if it’s winter why is she producing a new leaf…

    I never had problems with her and I would hate to lose her so any advice or opinion anyone can give me is very much appreciated.
    Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2017
  2. seidenfaden

    seidenfaden Well-Known Member

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    If this was my plant I would remove the flower spike right at the bottom.
    This will help the plant to regain some strength and perhaps produce a new leaf, which is when new roots form.
     
  3. Dutzya

    Dutzya New Member

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    Thank you for the reply
    I was thinking about doing that, but since I did not see any sign of dehydration on the leaves I was not sure about it. Also here's a picture of the orchid.
     

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  4. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Orchids want to reproduce. If the plant is weak or stressed, it is even more important to the plant to reproduce before it dies. Your plant looks strong, but I would still cut the spike. Let the plant put energy into making new roots so that the next time it is ready to bloom it will be strong and well rooted. Generally, when I repot an orchid I remove any spikes it is carrying so all of the energy goes into the plant.