Expert: Wayne King - 6/8/2009

Question
I recently got a beautiful blooming orchid as a gift (might be a moth orchid) I left it with a friend for two weeks and returned to find the top part of the stem had been snapped off with no outlet for a blooms to occur Currently the base leaves are a healthy deep green and what's left of the stem appears to be ok How can I revive this plant

Answer
Marsha, from your description, your plant appears to be healthy.  Cut the flower spike off just above a node (ie joint) in the flower spike and it is possible that you may get a branch at that node that will eventually bloom.  To ensure your plant thrives, it is best to repot it after each flowering in fresh orchid potting mix in a well ventilated plastic pot. In the process of unpotting your plant rinse off the roots and remove any roots that are not firm as they are dead or dying. I recommend this repotting be done after flowering for anyone who has recently purchased a plant as you don't know how long the plant has been in the current potting mix.  Orchids need different treatment than regular houseplants as they come from tropical areas ehere their roots are usually exposed to the air. Finally, you may want to increase the light level as plants often are reluctant to bloom at the light levels producing dark green leaves.