Phalenopsis orchids

[Wishy13764]

Anyone recommend these orchids? Home depot is selling them for 20 dollars a pot. Beautiful flowers but bare stems below the flowers.

[Shell]

Hi Phals are some of the best for beginners. The flower spike (stem) stands up above the leaves and the flowers bloom at the end of the spike, being bare below the flowers is normal. When the plant finishes flowering and all the blooms have faded and dropped off the stem will eventually turn brown and can be cut off close to where it emerges from the plant. I have 2 right now, one with a 2 foot spike and the other with a 3 foot spike plus a second spike forming on both plants. Check your local Krogers grocery store if you have one, they were selling Phals and Dendrobiums (another good one for beginners) for $12.99 for plants in a 6 inch pot. Keep in mind most orchids grow fairly slowly and the flowers can last several weeks or even months before they fade and can take that long to fully open as well.

Shell

[Pen]

Just make sure the flower stalks are brown and dried before cutting off. If the stalk is still green, you can get repeat blooms from them. If you're really lucky, the flower stalk might pop out another orchid. :)

[Tom Randy]

Go to Lowes. How big are the leaves? Are they in bloom? The stem being bare is normal.

$20 sounds high to me...

They are easy to keep.