You’ve carefully followed our orchid care guidelines, and you’re Just Add Ice orchid is thriving more than you ever anticipated! But now you’re noticing little green bumps on your plant, and you’re scratching your head as to what they could be and what you should do about them.
The good news is these little bumps are likely flower spikes, which are not only harmless to the health of your orchid, but are easy to care for. Below, we explain how to determine if what you’re seeing are, in fact, flower spikes and how you can strengthen your flower spikes for a healthy orchid.
The first step to keeping your flower spikes healthy is to determine if they are new spikes or roots. You may have to wait to tell the difference, but as a general guide, roots have rounded green tips with a whitish appearance and typically curl up around the edges of the pot. Flower spikes, on the other hand, have flattened tips, are green from end-to-end and originate between orchid leaves instead of the center.
Examining your spike’s appearance will tell you if your orchid is in distress or if it’s healthy. Warning signs of unhealthy spikes include:
Phalaenopsis orchids often have beautiful, large flowers that are held up by long, thick stems. Staking allows your orchid to stand proud and tall instead of bending under the blossom’s weight. We recommend waiting until the spike has stopped growing and the flowers are beginning to develop before clipping it to the stake. To avoid breakage, do not force the spike where it doesn’t want to go; simply move the stake to better accommodate the spike.
Attending to your orchid’s flower spikes can make a crucial difference in the overall health and beauty of your orchid. Follow the above steps, and you’re sure to keep your plant healthy and blooming for many years to come!
For more tips to keep your Just Add Ice orchid healthy, download the 10 Simple Steps to Keeping Your Orchid Healthy tip sheet.
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