Saturday, February 8, 2014

Orchid Confusion

Hello everyone!

This orchid is the only live one I've ever owned and I was nervous about getting it in the beginning.  But, now 2 yrs later, it has proven to be hearty.  It is now blooming for the 3rd time.  


I moved it next to this wall just so you could see it better. It normally sits by a window.

What I'm confused about, though, is it's root system.

Here are the roots at it's base. 


And here is another root system at the top!  What????


This didn't exist during it's last blooming cycle.  And of course, with it's additional set of roots are additional leaves too!  

Does anyone know if this is normal and am I supposed to leave it or cut it off and replant that section?

These are the beautiful blooms hanging off to one side.




This is where it normally sits........beside my bathtub.


But, I have a feeling that those leaves and roots shouldn't be at the top of the plant too.

Would love any advice you have to share about orchids.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~


35 comments:

Bonnie said...

It loves that spot. Don't move it! I have had many orchids but never got one to rebloom. You are so lucky. I do not have good light in my house.

Kelly I think what you think are roots is other blooms coming. Don't do anything to them just wait and see.I believe it is another stem growing and hopefully will have a bud appear after it gets longer. Not positive but it makes sense.

Orchids don't like to be overwatered.

Junkchiccottage said...

Kelly,
It is beautiful. The only thing I have ever heard about taking care of Orchids is to put an ice cube in the pot once a week to water. This will give it exactly what it needs and you cannot over water it. I bet that could be a new growth coming off so I would wait and see if it blooms. You are a good plant person and it really likes you so it is showing off and giving you some off spring! Ha Ha! Thats my guess!
Kris

Blondie's Journal said...

I don't know anything about orchids except they are difficult to keep alive...at least that's what I heard! Your is just beautiful! You might try Googling it or go to Hometalk, I go there with all my gardening questions. Good luck!

XO,
Jane

Wanda said...

Looks like what ever you're doing is working.

I would like to be a plant in your bathroom...what a lovely place for it to sit.

Brenda Pruitt said...

If it's working, don't fix it!
Brenda

Katie Mansfield said...

Well, I think your doing a great job with it and you have the perfect spot. I've heard they are hard to grow. It's gorgeous.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Wow Kelly! Your plant is gorgeous. I love orchids but have had no luck with them blooming more than once. It does look like a root. I think it’s normal.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Wow Kelly how lucky you are to have had it bloom 3 times! I had a few orchids but once the flower died I through them out. I would try getting info off google.

Stacey said...

I love that you are asking questions but you do realize how lucky you are to have it blooming...right? I've never had one rebloom and the leaves by themselves are not very attractive so they always disappear from my house. :) Whatever you are doing keep it up.

Number Fifty-Three said...

I had no clue that an orchid could last so long. It's gorgeous! Good luck finding more into on it.

Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

The only orchid I've ever has was fake, so I'm no help :/.

I agree with the others. It looks happy and I have a feeling also that the top root will reveal itself to you as a flower soon.

Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comment!

Revi said...

I don't have experience - but I googled it and found an orchid care site.

http://www.aboutorchids.com/

Here's what it said:

My orchid's roots are sticking out of the pot. Is that a problem?
No. Most orchids grow as epiphytes, or air plants. Their roots attach to trees, but they are not parasites. They hang on to the trees for support while they absorb rainwater and gather nutrients. Roots may have moss or debris on them, but they are otherwise exposed to the open air. So as long as the humidity is high, the roots will be perfectly happy sticking out.

Art and Sand said...

I have received many orchids over the years as gifts from students (the parents worked in the flower fields) and I always just loved them until they died. I never knew what I was doing with them.

Good luck!

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Morning Kelly, Your orchid looks beautiful. I was going to answer your question about information regarding the aerial roots, but I see one of your other friends has answered the question.
The only thing I would mention, is that placing an ice cube on top of the soil is not a good idea, as the ice cube would be too cold for the orchid. Remember they live in tropical climates, so that is why your orchid is happy in the bathroom. I keep mine around the house and I spray them three times a week with tepid water and I feed them when they are flowering.
If you would like any more information, I did write a post about orchids which might be helpful. You can find it here
http://ivyphyllisandme.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Orchids. Believe it or not, it is easy to care for Orchids and they will repeat flower, as long as you follow as few simple rules.
Best Wishes to you.
Daphne

must love junk said...

Kelly, I know nothing about orchids, but I LOVE that last photo! Your bathroom is gorgeous!
Susan

Laura @ duke manor farm said...

love orchids. it will do its own thing so don't do anything with it. did you know that they have an airel root system and in very tropical climates you will see them growing on trees. just beautiful, i wish it was warm enough here to do that.

Laura @ duke manor farm said...

love orchids. it will do its own thing so don't do anything with it. did you know that they have an airel root system and in very tropical climates you will see them growing on trees. just beautiful, i wish it was warm enough here to do that.

Ron said...

Leave it alone and enjoy! It is beautiful.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I see you have gotten your answer. We had an orchid in our master bath at the last house and it bloomed for an entire year, then rebloomed later. They love being in bathrooms!

This N That said...

A bathroom is a great place for an orchid..It's happy..leave it alone..I used to mist the soil..no ice cubes

Leslie said...

Hi Kelly,

Lucky you do get the flowers! I agree, leave it where it is. Orchids like the change in temperature .. and maybe a little cooler spot. They like to be watering sparingly and just in the leaf area rather than roots. Misting is good :)

Pondside said...

I'm so glad you posted this and asked the question, Kelly, as I have an orchid in my bathroom as well and would love to help it re-bloom. I read the replies with interest!

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

I wish I could help, but I don't know a single thing about orchids. Yours sure is pretty though. Oh, and I love the chandelier in your bathroom. :)

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Just do what you have been doing as it is happy and blooming and is very happy in that spot!! Very pretty Kelly!

Sew a Fine Seam said...

It's lovely Kelly! What a great spot to put an orchid!

Christine at Little Brags said...

no advice here...I kill it all!!! LOL...love the chandelier above your tub

Lorrie said...

Your orchid is beautiful. How great that it's rebloomed for you. I see lots of good advice in the comments. I'm inspired.

Japolina said...

Keep doing whatever you are doing. Don't change a thing.

Linda said...

Oh how beautiful!! You have that magic touch..I never have had any luck growing them.

NanaDiana said...

Kelly- They used to grow wild when I live in Southern Florida and they grew onto trees. I believe that root thing is meant to "attach" it to a tree to anchor it so that it can grow bigger and be held sturdy. Not sure but that is my guess from seeing them in the trees where I lived. xo Diana

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

I don't know anything about growing orchids (killed every one I've ever had), but yours sure is gorgeous!

HeHe24 said...

This is what I know about orchids. That is a root you're asking about. Orchids grow best when all the roots are exposed, not covered by rocks or moss or anything that covers the top of the pot they're in. In fact, I've seen them growing out of a stone wall with no dirt and they don't need much dirt at all. The looser the soil around the bottom of the plant, the better. The orchid gets all it's nutrition and light from those roots so let them grow wherever they want. Just don't ever cover them. It appears the root growing all alone on yours is growing from the neck of the two leaves and is probably trying to be a separate and new plant. I agree with everyone, though, - just leave it alone. It will either die or continue to do whatever it's doing. Getting one to grow a second time comes from leaving it in the perfect light (which you have in your bathroom), not moving it from where it was when you first got it, and a lot of patience. Most of us hate the look of a blossom-less orchid, but just be patient and you'll have one like this.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Your orchid is just beautiful, Kelly! I use to have several orchids in the sunroom of our previous home. We had an entire wall of east-facing windows, and they thrived there. They rebloomed numerous times. I never misted mine, just took them to the kitchen sink for a good watering and then let the water drain completely. They do not like their feet sitting in water! I always kept a couple of faux orchid stems to tuck in the pots when the plant was not in bloom. They are pretty homely without their those gorgeous blooms.

Anne said...

It's beautiful Kelly! You have the touch.I am not very good at caring for indoor plants.Hoping the Azalea plant my husband bought for Valentines day holds on LOL!
xx
Anne

Anne said...

It's beautiful Kelly! You have the touch.I am not very good at caring for indoor plants.Hoping the Azalea plant my husband bought for Valentines day holds on LOL!
xx
Anne