Total Orchid Newbie - need some help :)

[daveinsydney]

I bought an orchid from the supermarket 3 or 4 months ago not expecting much between my green thumb and it being a throw away supermarket orchid but it has done splendidly and bloomed really well.

I do not even know what kind it is - I assume its a moth orchid..?

Its late spring here in Australia so am not sure how long they continue to bloom?

Also there is new stem (is it called a spike) coming off the orchid. It has been growing rapidly and formed 5 or 6 new buds in the last week...

What should I do with it? Can I repot it and start another orchid? Just let it do it's thing?

Pictures below - thx all!

Finally are there any big no no's with orchids as far as care? Whatever I am doing has been working so far so just don't want to jinx it.

[ksriramkumar]

It is a hybrid Phalaenopsis aka moth orchid. it is a great plant to begin and fairly easy to take care. don't have to repot now but would be worth checking and repotting once the blooms are done. usually the phals are potted in sphagnum moss and starts retaining too much water. watch out and water only if the sphag is completely dry.

as for as getting another orchid, don't expect a no from this forum

[chingjervis]

Hi. Try to support the new stem with a wire, so as when the buds get bigger it will not pull the spike down. Wire will also support the spike from breakage.

I concur with ksriramkumar regarding repotting.

Pleae make sure there are no water residue on the crown, or else you will end with crown rot. Some would water only the medium, or just put the pot in the water and let it sit for awhile until the top most medium is wet. Remember the key is wet NOT soggy or else you will end up with root rot.

[78Terp]

Concur with all above comments.

If you do get water in the crown, use a paper towel or another absorbent material and suck the water out of the crown 'pocket's. Water collects in the pockets along the stem and can cause crown rot. Which is mostly the end of the orchid.

[catttan]

Congrats - lovely pink Phalaenopsis.

[Carolla]

Please don't cut off the new spike, it is probably just a new flower shoot and would not form a new plant for you, you'd just damage the flowers. If the plant decides to put out a baby orchid on a spike, let it grow until the roots are several inches long, then you can gently remove it and pot it up. That usually takes months, plenty of time to deal with it.

Otherwise, you've been given good advice. If you see any problems like yellowing leaves, post pictures right away and we can help you to figure out what's best for your plant. It's very pretty, good job!

[kspalding]

Welcome. We have a saying if its not broke don't fix it. You could do more harm than good. Other than lack of support on the drooping spike all seems well with your phal.