How to get and grow an orchid flower stalk at home

Orchid

An important part of the orchid plant is its peduncle, responsible for its beauty and bloom. Buds form 50-60 days after the flower stalk is formed. The peduncle emerges during the plant's active growth phase. Its appearance is a true celebration, as flowering will last for months. Sometimes, it takes a long time for the flower stalk to form.

What is a phalaenopsis flower stalk?

The long, flexible stem on which flowers form is called a peduncle. A single flower stalk can contain 10 to 50 buds. It is often confused with orchid offspring or roots. If the previous stem was pruned to a dormant bud rather than to the base, this bud will produce a stalk in the fall, which will produce flowers within 1.5 months.

Where does the flower stalk grow from?

Throughout its life, the flower stem changes. It can be old or new. The young flower stalk, emerging from the leaf axils, grows upward or sideways, facing the light, and is flattened with a pointed end. The branch is green. The stem is covered with scales and grows vigorously, becoming long and flexible, easily broken due to its fragile nature. Branches are usually tied to a support and left undisturbed.

After flowering, the stem changes color from green to yellow or brown. Sometimes the branches turn purple or red, depending on the plant variety. After the color change, the flower stalks dry up and fall off. It's best to prune the stem before it dries out completely, as this drains the plant's energy.

How to distinguish a flower stalk from a root in an orchid

At first, it's not always possible to distinguish a young shoot from a pup or root; it's difficult to tell whether it's a root or a peduncle on an orchid. To avoid confusing the stem with other parts of the plant, certain characteristics are used. An orchid's peduncle grows from the axil of a leaf, and a pup, resembling a shoot, may appear next to the peduncle.

How to distinguish a root from a peduncle or a baby plant

Flower shoot	Roots	Babe
The orchid produces a flower stalk from the leaf axil, usually in a young leaf.	It grows from the outside of the orchid's neck and can appear from the middle of the leaf.	It grows next to the vein of the leaf, in the place of the flower branch, and can form on the roots or on the peduncle.
The end of the stem is pointed and has a conical stepped shape.	Bright tip, light velamen	The tip looks like a beak
Conical shape, scaly surface	The root is round and smooth.	A miniature copy of an adult plant
The shoot itself is flattened	The kidney is cone-shaped	A shoot with 2-3 leaves, small roots extending from the attachment point
The phalaenopsis flower stalk grows upwards, sometimes to the side	Directed downwards, but aerial roots can grow sideways and upwards	Reaches upwards

It's impossible to distinguish a phalaenopsis flower stalk from a root or offshoot at the beginning of growth. This can be determined by the shape of the tip later, when the shoot is at least 4 cm long. A flower stalk, offshoot, or root can be distinguished by dormant buds resembling scales on the stalk.

How to care for an orchid

The orchid's dormant period ends in autumn. Adequate lighting, fertilizing, and regular watering are the key principles of caring for the flower. Comprehensive care will ensure the long-awaited flower stalk appears in a short time. Fresh air is essential, and drafts should be avoided. Humidity should be maintained at 60-70%.

Reducing the watering regime

Phalaenopsis orchids are moisture-loving. In winter, radiators and heaters, and in summer, the scorching sun, can cause the air in your apartment to become dry. Don't allow the substrate to dry out. it needs watering, when the soil becomes slightly damp.

Once the orchid has developed a flower stalk, gradually reduce watering. Direct spraying directly on the plant is not recommended, as this can damage the new shoot. Allow the potting mix to dry for at least five days between waterings, allowing the root system time to photosynthesize. If you watered the orchid once or twice a week before the stalk formed, now you should water it three to four times a month.

Features of fertilizing

The initiation and development of flower shoots and subsequent budding depend on timely fertilization. Mineral supplements containing phosphorus and potassium are added. Fertilize the flowers once a month according to the instructions. Stop fertilizing during the growth of the flower stalk and during flowering. Any additional fertilization shortens the time it takes for orchids to bud.

Important!

It is better to use fertilizers intended for orchids, others can burn the roots.

Lighting and temperature

When the orchid has flowered in winter, move it to the southern part of the house, preferably near a bright window. If light is insufficient (cloudy days, short days), install fluorescent lamps. This southern beauty requires at least 10-12 hours of light per day. Insufficient light will affect the flower stalk, and a shoot may not form at all.

The room temperature should be maintained between 22-25°C. At night, the thermometer should not drop below 16°C. If the temperature drops significantly, the stem will begin to dry out, and new growth will be out of the question.

When and how is it formed?

An orchid's flower stalk grows over the course of 50-70 days. Hybrid varieties require 90-100 days to form a stem. This period begins with the emergence of the shoot and ends with the fully formed flower stalk and buds.

If the room is warm, humid, and bright, the process of flower stalk formation doubles. At the beginning of growth, it's not always possible to distinguish the flower stalk from the root or offshoot, but as it develops, it acquires clearly defined characteristics.

Instructions on how to get a straight shoot

Once you've confirmed that the flower stem is developing, it should be tied upright to ensure a straight, tall flower stalk. These recommendations will help ensure the shoot is straight and tall, and prevent the branch from breaking.

Instructions for an orchid to produce a straight stem:

a support for the growing flower stalk is installed in the container with the phalaenopsis;
the strengthened and grown arrow, 16-18 cm long, is fixed vertically to the support using a special clothespin for flowers;
If the stem deviates to the side and is not tied, then it is necessary to turn the pot with the flower branch towards the light, it will gradually straighten out.

Attention!

The lateral stem develops faster, it grows in one and a half months.

What to do to keep the arrow from freezing in development

It's all about proper care. Lighting should be diffused. It's best to shade the window to prevent direct sunlight from burning the orchid's stem and leaves. You can hang net curtains, blinds, or outdoor awnings over the windows. During prolonged rainfall or when it's cloudy for several days in a row, backlighting is necessary.

Water as the soil dries, but don't let it dry out completely. Maintain a tropical temperature of 25°C (77°F), but high humidity is essential. This can be achieved by misting the room, placing containers of water, or using a humidifier. Temperatures above 30°C (86°F) dry out the air, causing the plant to wither and possibly die.

What to do to make an orchid produce several flower stalks at once

A flower can produce 2-3 flower stalks at a time. Young plants often produce a single stem, and even with careful attention, it will not produce more branches. Three stems can appear in mature plants with 9-10 leaves in the rosette, and in some orchid varieties, which can produce 4-6 scapes simultaneously.

For any orchid, three or more flower stalks at once are a great strain and a shock. Energy is spent on forming stems, producing buds, and blooming beautiful flowers. After a prolific bloom, the plant needs rest and proper care.

Possible problems

There are cases where the flower stalk takes a long time to grow, develops abnormally, or is completely absent. How can this problem be solved, and what measures should be taken in such cases?

Emergence from a growth point

In mature or older plants, after numerous blooms, a flower branch may grow out from the growing point. In young plants, this phenomenon is a consequence of stress.

In this case, nothing needs to be done. You should wait until the flower adapts to the stress, then simply observe and care for it. Such a plant may still form buds and bloom for a long time.

The flower stalk is broken

If a stem is accidentally damaged and breaks, don't worry. Prune the flower stalk near the nearest bud where the break occurred. Treat the cut with cinnamon or charcoal. A new shoot will soon form from the bud.

Advice!

Don't try to wrap the fractured area with a bandage or other material in the hopes that the stem will heal. The bud on the orchid may soon dry out.

There is no stem at all

If the flower is "lazy" and hasn't produced a flower stalk in a while, you can speed it up to produce a shoot. A gentle shake will help force the phalaenopsis to produce a flower stalk. Florists encourage the orchid to produce a flower stalk after it's been dormant for more than a year.

Actions:

move the orchid to a shaded area;
reduce the amount of watering, but do not allow drought;
at night, lower the air temperature by 5 degrees, open the window briefly, but without drafts;
The shaking is carried out for about a week, then the pot is placed in the flower’s usual environment.

Stalled in development

Sometimes a shoot grows, produces a few buds, and then stops growing, with no new buds appearing. Why does this happen, and what can be done about it?

What to do:

inspect the plant to make sure there is no disease, rot, or insects;
does the beauty have enough of everything - light, watering, humidity, fertilizers;
If the stem does not start growing after treatment, you need to wait until the phalaenopsis wakes up and continues to grow.

Actions after flowering

If the flower stalk has yellowed or dried out, cut it off at the base using sterile pruning shears. Dust the cut with chalk, cinnamon, or charcoal.

When a section of the branch has dried out, it is cut back to the first nearby bud. Soon, a lateral shoot will begin to grow from it, and a new flower stalk will emerge.

If the flower stalk is completely green and has buds on it, they may soon awaken. Buds will form on the branch and flowers will bloom. In this case, you need to wait until the plant awakens and blooms.

If this is your first time planting an orchid, it's best to choose an easy-to-grow variety like a phalaenopsis. As you care for and grow, you'll learn what the plant needs and when it needs help. You'll also learn which shoots are flower stalks or offspring. You'll also learn which spots in the house the orchid prefers, and which are best avoided. Later, you'll want to buy an exotic orchid to see how the flower stalks emerge and the unusual flowers bloom, which will delight you with their blooms more than once a year.