Subscribe to our blog to get articles delivered directly to your inbox

4 Ways to Strengthen Your Flower Spikes

February 6, 2014

new-spike-jaiYou’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.

Step 1: Determine If It is a Flower Spike

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.

Step 2: Pay attention to the appearance

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: 

  • Discolored or Crooked Spikes: This is a sign of a possible virus. 
  • Flimsy Flower Spikes: This means your orchid needs more light.
  • Short Flower Spikes: This means just the opposite of flimsy flower spikes. If your orchid has short spikes, it is getting too much light.  
  • Thin Flower Spikes: This may mean either your plant isn’t getting enough light, or it has a phosphorous deficiency.  

Step 3: Staking for presentation

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.

Winter Orchid Care Tips