ORCHIDS

I kept an orchid that I thought had died - 12 months later, it's flowered again, the flowers have lasted several weeks, in fact, it still looks wonderful

Those green 'tendrils' are in fact air roots, they absorb moisture from the surrounding air so don't cut them off. The new flower shoot will appear from between newish leaves you can tell the difference as the 'air roots' tend to look silvery and the new flower shoots are pale green. You do sometimes get a new plant growing as a sideshoot but I've never tried cutting this off.

I've been keeping orchids for many years and they can take months to reflower, they need plenty of light but not direct sunlight, I soak the whole pot in a bucket of rain water and a few drops of orchid feed every two weeks or so then just let the water drain out . good luck.

Thanks for that info Tanith, I have one that has just lost is last flower. Should one remove the old flowers stalk and, if so, to what level?

Kittylester, when the last flower on the spike has faded, it is time to cut back to about an inch above a node (small bump) which is below the section of the spike which has flowered.
PRINTMISS, small plantlets are sometimes produced at the bottom or along the stems. These are called keikis. Leave the keikis until the roots are about 1 inch long. It should then be cut from the mother plant and planted in a small pot with fine bark mix. Spread our the roots and do not plant too deeply.
The above is copied from my Orchid book, but I have an orchid flowering now, which I cut from the 'mother' plant...so it can work! I have also been advised by an orchid grower in Thailand 'no cut' when I asked about pruning! I love orchids and have several which seem to thrive on neglect to some extent.....over watering is a killer. Hope this helps a bit! Good luck!

Only been keeping orchids in my bathroom for a year since being given a couple as gifts. I have never cut them (not brave enough) and was advised to give them a couple of ice cubes weekly. They have produced several new shoots and leaves and flowered several times. It's nothing I have done but they might like the location.

I think they like a humid environment, so a bathroom would be good. I have no idea why they would like ice cubes....is that instead of watering them? Mine are on an easterly facing windowsill, so they get the morning sun, which seems to suit them.....trial and error I think, but great when it works!

Thanks for all that, I have decided that I am going to let the plant make up it's own mind, because I do think the 'tendrils' are the air roots tanith is talking about, they are certainly that colour. The pot has stood in the same place (occasionally moved for cleaning purposes!) it is south/east facing window sill, and I water it regularly, so perhaps it will flower in due course. Patience is a virtue, thank you all very much.

It is instead of watering them Lynker.

The ice cube doesn't sound like a good idea to me. If it was touching the plant it could cause freeze damage. I dunk the whole pot in a bowl of rainwater for an hour about once a week. (If I remember )

Did anybody see the beautiful photo in the Daily Mail of the orchid that has a 'bird' in the centre petal formation.

I don't know how to post the link but if somebody could help it was in the Daily Mail on Aug 4th and it is a photo taken by Christian Kneidinger of a peach and pink orchid which I think is a common orchid to buy.

I am sorry I am not explaining myself very well but if you like orchids it is worth viewing, at least I thought it was an amazing photo shot.

Oh yes, it was spectacular.
Here we are,
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2715874/Eagle-eyed-photographer-catches-incredible-pictures-orchid-looks-just-like-bird.html

Penguinepaperback.

Thank you so much. It really was beautiful wasn't it.