Cattleya tipped over...

[fullcathouse]

I'm so sad and upset,

My Cattleya tiiped over and damaged a leaf and two flowers, preety badly. I put cinnamon on the slit of the leaf, but what should i do with the flowers?? Should I cut them off or wait untill they fall off?I would appreciate the advice...

[Dazed]

Hi Michelle, I just as new as you are to the orchids. I had the same problem a few months back when my large onc took a 6 foot swan dive off the front porch. Needless to say it took a few bruises and the clay pot it was in shattered. I repotted it and it has since put out 2 spikes. As delicate as these plants are the can sure take a lickin. Don't think there's much to be done with the flower. I'm guessing the more experienced members will likely tell you that you did the right thing so far and let the bloom run it's time. Good luck.

[cakedaddy]

If it makes you feel any better, the wind decided that it must be time for me to repot my in bud purpurata yesterday. I've never seen it bloom. The buds are tiny still and went undamaged...hope they don't abort! There would be no harm done leaving the flowers on, but personally, I'd go ahead and clip them. The plant is using its energy to sustain damaged blooms.
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[Brutal_Dreamer]

I wouldn't worry to much about the orchid. Cut the blooms if you like - but as pointed out - orchids are pretty tough and this plant looks pretty healthy to me. I knock orchids over or drop them on a regular basis. I cringe and die a little each time, but, with the exception of a strap leaf slipper orchid I knocked over with the water hose and then backed up and smashed with my foot (crushed the plastic pot and damaged the leaves horribly), all of them seem to pull through. haha..

Cheers,
BD

[tucker85]

Like Bruce said, you can cut them off if you want to or leave them on the plant. It will be fine either way. I've never seen an orchid get any kind of infection from a cut so I don't treat cuts with anything. Whenever I have a tall blooming orchid in a plastic pot or very small clay pot, I temporarily place the pot inside a larger clay or decorative ceramic pot. That gives it a larger and heavier base which makes falling over less likely.