When I first starting growing moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis, I got excited over every little new growth that would show up at the base of the plant. I kept thinking that a new orchid flower spike was growing, when in fact most of the time they were just roots! So I kept looking...and looking...and waiting...until I finally saw something that looked a little different. Different enough to know that it wasn't yet another root. It was finally a new flower spike growing!
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After my moth orchid collection expanded and I was successful in getting them to rebloom regularly, it became very easy to tell when a new flower spike was growing.
Keep reading, and you will be able to tell shortly too. And if you only have one plant and you have been successful in keeping it alive, go buy a few more to give yourself more practice!
Orchid Flower Spike or Root?
When a new root or flower spike starts to grow at the base of the Phalaenopsis, look carefully. There is a distinct difference between the two. Take a look at the picture below.
The short reddish growth on the left of the base of the plant is a root, and the growth on the right is a flower spike. You can see that the root on the left is rounder and it has a uniform tip.
On some Phalaenopsis orchids, it will be light green in color, but in this particular plant, it's reddish. This just has to do with the pigmentation in your individual plant.
Now take a look at the flower spike on the right in the photo above. Again, this is reddish in color, and often times (not always) it's an indication of the color of the flowers. Many times, reddish flower spikes and reddish tips on the growing roots can be an indication that your orchid has pink or purple flowers.
And often times, Phalaenopsis with white or yellow flowers typically will have greenish flower spikes and green root tips. This isn't always the case, but it's an interesting thing to keep in mind.
Here is an another example of an orchid flower spike just to show you another one that looks more green in color. The characteristic shape is still there though!
In both cases, you'll see that most of the length of the flower spike is pretty uniform until it gets close to the tip. Then you'll see the tip almost looks like the shape of a mitten.
This "mitten" in the picture above is a bit rounder in shape. Most of the time, they'll look a little pointier. But the tips will generally be in the shape of a mitten.
Here is another example of a flower spike that looks a little pointer and like a characteristic mitten shape:
As Your Orchid Flower Spike Grows
One very important thing to remember is that once your flower spike starts growing, you don't want to rotate the pot at your window.
Normally, you'll want to rotate houseplants every so often to encourage even growth and so that one side of the plant doesn't lean excessively towards the window.
You DON'T want to do this when you notice a flower spike starting to grow. The flower spike will want to grow towards the window.
If you keep turning your plant, the flower spike will keep bending towards the window and it won't have a very attractive shape. (But if you're OK with that, go for it!)
Another thing you'll want to do as the flower spike starts growing is to insert a bamboo stake into the pot so that you can start clipping the flower spike to the stake as it grows. It's not absolutely necessary, but sometimes it helps if your flower spike is growing into your window.
You can buy special plastic orchid clips made specifically for this purpose. And these clips are not limited to using just for orchids. You can use them for other plants as well.
Take a look at the picture above. You can see the flower spike on two orchids clipped to the bamboo stakes with plastic orchid clips. Don't be tempted to clip the flower spike to a bamboo stake too early.
Wait until the flower spike it at least a few inches long. Otherwise you may risk snapping the flower spike off. I did that once and I was furious with myself! Be very gentle and don't force things too much. As the flower spike grows longer, it'll be easier.
Normally, as the flower spike grows, I'll either take a second clip, or just move the original one higher up to support the flower spike. And don't forget, don't rotate the pot at the window as the flower spike is growing!
I've also experimented with not staking the flower stalks and letting them just arch gracefully. It adds quite a bit of charm! If you have the appropriate space to do that, why not try both methods and see which you like best.
If you want to learn all about how to get your orchid to rebloom reliably and have healthy, thriving moth orchid plants, don't miss my signature, online orchid care course, Become an Orchid Master. It also includes bonuses with support from me, personally, to guide you in your orchid journey!
Fertilizing Your Orchid
Are you struggling with not being able to get your orchid to bloom at all? You'll have to make sure that you read my blog post on why your moth orchid won't rebloom. Usually it has to do with not enough light...but read my article for all the important details.
I did want to mention one last thing that is very important for moth orchid care, and that is fertilization.
The most important things in getting your orchid to bloom is proper light. Cooler nighttime temperatures in the Fall will also help to encourage a flower spike.
But if you use a good fertilizing routine, you will enhance the size and number of your moth orchid flower, and who wouldn't want that?
The link above will give you both the Grow and Bloom versions. I would use Grow during the active growing season when plants are putting out new leaves.
Switch to Bloom right right before anticipating flowering to occur, or you can even start as soon as you see a flower spike forming, which you should know what it looks like by now! 🙂
Dyna-Gro Grow and Dyna-Gro Bloom are amazing fertilizers for orchids and really any other houseplants. They are premium fertilizers, are urea-free and contain all the micro and macro nutrients that are essential for plant growth.
I've achieved amazing results using these fertilizers, so be sure to get Dyna-Gro Grow and Dyna-Gro Bloom today and see for yourself! Don't settle for the inexpensive, poor quality fertilizers. Your plants are worth more!
If you don't want to switch back and forth (it's certainly not necessary, you can simplify your fertilizer routine like I have recently.) Check out my article on fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids. It goes into matching up your fertilizer with the kind of water that you use.
Do you have any new flower spikes on your orchids?
Thank you for great descriptive details between a root and flower spike. The "mitten shape" was very helpful. I recently rescued/purchased orchid plants that were on sale, now with your information hopefully they will start to grow flower spikes.
You can mist those frequently so they stay nice and plump. When it's time to repot, you can gently place those in bark or sphagnum moss...whatever you are growing your plant in.
Hello,
Is there a reason none of my orchids ever grow a tall flower spike, The spike is usually fairly short and thin and there will usually be only 2 or 3 flowers on it
Hi Anna! The cultural conditions are probably not ideal. I would need more details to help, but do the leaves and roots look healthy? How is your watering regimen? Are you fertilizing?
@Raffaele,
The leaves seem healthy, firm and not too dark green in color, the roots on the other hand don’t seem 100% healthy, there are some that are not too silver or light green in color but rather somewhat yellowish and not too plump. I may have been overwatering them, used to water them on a weekly schedule, then realized that it may not be the right thing to do as the root would still be bright green when I watered them. The 2 plants out of 3 that I have are growing under grow lights and I only fertilize them between spring and fall. Thank you.
HELP! I accidentally broke the flower spike. But not all the way. Thank youWhat, if anything can I put on the wound to possibly save it? It is flowering and I don't want to lose them.
Hi Laura, I'd have to see a photo to best help you. Either DM me in Instagram (@ohiotropics) or you can use the contact form on my website. When I reply, you can attach photos.
I have two Phal, been told they are the same as moth orchids, I live in Fl, but the windows I need to put them in I can't so I have them in my bathroom on the sink, it's beside the window, my son cut the old spikes off all the way to the base of the plant when the flowers died. Will more grow back and how do i get them to and where is a good place to put them and when should i fertilize them?
Loving your info
Hi Lois! Yes, they will grow new spikes and Moth Orchid is just the common name for Phalaenopsis. Normally, they'll grow new spikes about once a year around this time of year or so, but it can vary. I have many other blog posts on the care of these plants. Just type in "orchid" in the search feature, and you'll see many posts I've written on how I care for mine. I'm sure they will help 🙂
Hi Dorothy! You should only remove any old leaves if they have completely yellowed or turned brown. If they are green and healthy, please leave them! :-). It will benefit the plant and there is no reason to remove them if they're green.
I forget to mention I am seeing a lot of roots are growing and some of them are growing between my leaves and I want to know is that okay. Beryl Haygood
I need some advice on my orchids to bloom. My orchids are at the west side window , I was asking if you think I should change my orchids to my bathroom it's on the west window their . I have been wondering if they need huiminty and it will be do good and better, I will try and see. I live in Arizona do you think they will survive out side in the heat ? I have had my two orchids and I got another the two I have had have not bloom, I got my other orchid about a couple of months ago. I want them to bloom and I can't wait for them to bloom. Thank you Beryl Haygood
How long have you had them? Most of them will only grow a new flower spike once a year or so, though you can get the old spikes to rebloom. I assume you have them right in front of your window? If so, light is not an issue. If you haven't had them that long, know that mot of them will set spike in fall/winter. If you can give them a 10-15F drop in temperature at night, it will encourage them to grow a new flower spike during that time. As far as outdoors in Arizona, you'll have to keep them in full shade for sure there, and make sure to keep them very well watered. I'd avoid unusually hot months though outdoors where you are...but you will get the benefit of the 10-15F drop in temperature at night which will encourage blooming! They do need to stay 55F and above though for minimum temperature. Hope this helps!
After about 3 years my orchid has decided to bloom again! It only has one spike and three soon to be blooms. However, the very top one started to weep and has dried up! The other two look fine. Please tell me why this happened? I feed and water once a week. Many thanks.
Hi Olga! You're experiencing what is called bud blasting. It is caused by inconsistencies in its growing environment, or some kind of shock. Some possible causes including your potting medium going too dry for too long (this is probably the most common in my experience), or also from sudden temperature changes. I hope this helps!
I'm not familiar with varieties I've really just became interested seeing them in local home stores. How do you recommend purchasing orchids? Meaning store plants in bloom or starting a plant yourself from a grower. Hope that makes sense.
I would just buy one (or a couple...) wherever you can find them cheaply and give them a try! So many grocery stores and hardware stores have tons of Moth Orchids. Start out with a couple, and follow my blog posts on their care until you get more confidence. Then you can branch out into other varieties 🙂
Thank you for great descriptive details between a root and flower spike. The "mitten shape" was very helpful. I recently rescued/purchased orchid plants that were on sale, now with your information hopefully they will start to grow flower spikes.
Glad to hear Joanne! Good luck!
What about the roots that shoot all over? Just leave them or?
You can mist those frequently so they stay nice and plump. When it's time to repot, you can gently place those in bark or sphagnum moss...whatever you are growing your plant in.
The new root tips are about 2” long and now have a brown tip. What do you recommend?
Hi Jane! It would be helpful to see photos so I can help. I'll send you an email and you can attach them.
I must be doing something right. 5 Flower Spikes!
Wow! That's amazing! I bet it will be quite a show when it's in bloom!
Hello,
Is there a reason none of my orchids ever grow a tall flower spike, The spike is usually fairly short and thin and there will usually be only 2 or 3 flowers on it
Hi Anna! The cultural conditions are probably not ideal. I would need more details to help, but do the leaves and roots look healthy? How is your watering regimen? Are you fertilizing?
@Raffaele,
The leaves seem healthy, firm and not too dark green in color, the roots on the other hand don’t seem 100% healthy, there are some that are not too silver or light green in color but rather somewhat yellowish and not too plump. I may have been overwatering them, used to water them on a weekly schedule, then realized that it may not be the right thing to do as the root would still be bright green when I watered them. The 2 plants out of 3 that I have are growing under grow lights and I only fertilize them between spring and fall. Thank you.
HELP! I accidentally broke the flower spike. But not all the way. Thank youWhat, if anything can I put on the wound to possibly save it? It is flowering and I don't want to lose them.
Hi Laura, I'd have to see a photo to best help you. Either DM me in Instagram (@ohiotropics) or you can use the contact form on my website. When I reply, you can attach photos.
I have two Phal, been told they are the same as moth orchids, I live in Fl, but the windows I need to put them in I can't so I have them in my bathroom on the sink, it's beside the window, my son cut the old spikes off all the way to the base of the plant when the flowers died. Will more grow back and how do i get them to and where is a good place to put them and when should i fertilize them?
Loving your info
Hi Lois! Yes, they will grow new spikes and Moth Orchid is just the common name for Phalaenopsis. Normally, they'll grow new spikes about once a year around this time of year or so, but it can vary. I have many other blog posts on the care of these plants. Just type in "orchid" in the search feature, and you'll see many posts I've written on how I care for mine. I'm sure they will help 🙂
I have new leaves starting on my orchid plant, old leaves are covering the new growth, should I remove the older leaves?
Hi Dorothy! You should only remove any old leaves if they have completely yellowed or turned brown. If they are green and healthy, please leave them! :-). It will benefit the plant and there is no reason to remove them if they're green.
I forget to mention I am seeing a lot of roots are growing and some of them are growing between my leaves and I want to know is that okay. Beryl Haygood
Yes it's ok. They will grow where they will grow :-).
I need some advice on my orchids to bloom. My orchids are at the west side window , I was asking if you think I should change my orchids to my bathroom it's on the west window their . I have been wondering if they need huiminty and it will be do good and better, I will try and see. I live in Arizona do you think they will survive out side in the heat ? I have had my two orchids and I got another the two I have had have not bloom, I got my other orchid about a couple of months ago. I want them to bloom and I can't wait for them to bloom. Thank you Beryl Haygood
How long have you had them? Most of them will only grow a new flower spike once a year or so, though you can get the old spikes to rebloom. I assume you have them right in front of your window? If so, light is not an issue. If you haven't had them that long, know that mot of them will set spike in fall/winter. If you can give them a 10-15F drop in temperature at night, it will encourage them to grow a new flower spike during that time. As far as outdoors in Arizona, you'll have to keep them in full shade for sure there, and make sure to keep them very well watered. I'd avoid unusually hot months though outdoors where you are...but you will get the benefit of the 10-15F drop in temperature at night which will encourage blooming! They do need to stay 55F and above though for minimum temperature. Hope this helps!
After about 3 years my orchid has decided to bloom again! It only has one spike and three soon to be blooms. However, the very top one started to weep and has dried up! The other two look fine. Please tell me why this happened? I feed and water once a week. Many thanks.
Hi Olga! You're experiencing what is called bud blasting. It is caused by inconsistencies in its growing environment, or some kind of shock. Some possible causes including your potting medium going too dry for too long (this is probably the most common in my experience), or also from sudden temperature changes. I hope this helps!
Thanks for the information on orchids enjoy your article.
Glad you enjoyed it Rosa!
Thanks for all of these helpful, practical tips for moth orchids. I have two new flower spikes on my 3 year old orchid after following your tips!
So happy to hear that Lisa! 🙂
Thanks for your reply! I unclipped it, but it can’t get into the undergrowth because it’s too long. Should I leave it be? Or trim it off?
Some of the roots on my plant are growing up high and in my ignorance I clipped one to a stake. It grew even longer and taller. What should I do?
Hi Kristy! It's an easy mistake to make until you're used to what a flower spike looks like! If you can, I would just unclip the root from your stake.
I'm not familiar with varieties I've really just became interested seeing them in local home stores. How do you recommend purchasing orchids? Meaning store plants in bloom or starting a plant yourself from a grower. Hope that makes sense.
I would just buy one (or a couple...) wherever you can find them cheaply and give them a try! So many grocery stores and hardware stores have tons of Moth Orchids. Start out with a couple, and follow my blog posts on their care until you get more confidence. Then you can branch out into other varieties 🙂