My Orchids have joined! is this normal!!!

[Munch]

Hi everyone....

I have a question for the more knowledgeable than I? (that narrows it down )

I have 2 orchids, the one on the right is 4 years old and has flowered about 6 times, the one on the left is about a year old and this is the 3rd time it has flowered and they are both growing more flowering stems!

As you can see from the following 2 pictures they have managed to attach them selves to each other

Has anyone seen this happen before and should I be detaching them! Why have they done it? Will it effect future growth?

I look forward to your veiws

Thank you

[Glutton4...]

They look like aerial roots to me. I'd guess that severing them would do no harm. But I'm no Orchid expert. One of my Customers has them on her kitchen windowsill - they seem to flower for most of the year - good value for money, I reckon!

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along soon.

[Glutton4...]

Here ya go - just had a quick G**gle;

Re Potting A Phalaenopsis

[Nicos]

How strange! Never heard of that before.

I have 6 plants- they're about the only indoor plant I don't seem to be able to kill off

Thinking about it- in their natural habitat, they are parasitic tree dwellers- so presumably the 'roots' are hunting out moisture and nutrients.
Maybe that's what's going on???

[Munch]

Nicos, they are the only house plant I have never killed either!!!

Good theory, not sure weather to leave then or not, they are also different species, the one without flowers that the moment has dark purple, smaller flowers.

I would if they will interbreed!

[hamamelis]

I wonder if there will be any colour bleed between 'em?
I've not come across it before, and I think you have to leave it until they flower, just for science's sake.

I don't see that it'd be doing any harm, unless anyone knows different?