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Need to ID Orchid and Blooming Help?

8 years ago

I got this orchid in February as a gift, and don't know what kind it is. It hasn't bloomed any since I got it, and the couple of flowers it did have all wilted and fell. The flowers were a purple/white color.

I keep the plant on a windowsill facing west and water it whenever the soil begins to feel dry (once a week or two). It's my first time owning one, so I don't know much.

It also has this cracked leaf. I don't know if I should get rid of it, or leave it as it is.

I recently bought a food mist and have applied it once. I was wondering if it was good to buy products like this and if there's anything else the plant might need other than water and sun.

Thanks!

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Comments (3)

arthurm2015
8 years ago
You have a Phalaenopsis orchid which is in pretty good condition. Leave the split leaf, though split it is still nourishing the plant.

With good care your orchid should start to grow a new flowering stem late Autumn/early winter.

Link to American Orchid Society Cultivation notes.

AOS Notes
Bianca Munguia thanked arthurm2015
jane__ny
8 years ago
Cut the spike (stick) off. Let the plant grow over the summer and hopefully you will have flowers in the Fall.

Jane
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It's an epiphyllum, probably an epiphyllum hybrid (which typically contain other, similar genera, including Disocactus, Pseudorhipsalis and Selenicereus). These are commonly referred to as 'orchid cactus', but they are neither a true cactus nor an orchid :-) They are a semi-tropical succulent related to cactus that produces large, very showy flowers. They do produce an edible fruit (NOT a dragon fruit) but these are scarce on indoor plants. They are epiphytes, meaning they take advantage of other, larger plants - like trees - as a support system, like most tropical orchids do, and do not require soil in their native habitat. For home gardeners, they grow perfectly well in a good quality, fast draining potting mix. Unless you live in a semi-tropical climate or certainly a frost free zone (Z 10 or higher), these are not hardy outdoor. And they are pendant in habit, with those long branching structures cascading over the side of a container to often a significant length. One normally grows them in some sort of hanging basket structure or on a tall plant stand to show off the plant and its long branches to best effect. btw, the flowers form at the tips of these flattened leaves/branches so any pruning should be done cautiously. There are scads of websites on epis and if you do a bit of searching, they will provide all the growing info you need (rather than my repeating it all here!!). I find they are very easy to grow and will reward you with some gorgeous - if short-lived - flowers. I've got one setting flower buds now after being moved back indoors from its summer holiday location. Here's just one example of an epiphyllum website but do not stop with just one!! And be sure to check out any that show photo galleries of the blossoms - they are incredible!!
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suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
8 years ago
Cut off the stems that have bloomed and fallen. Those are done. I think in the second photo I see a new spike growing. DON'T cut that or touch it really. Just keep doing what you're doing.

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