reblooming phal

[dendro photo]

So i have heard if trim a phal spike at the base of the node there is a 80or so % chance it will rebloom from the same spike in under 2 weeks. Not only that but you can do it over and over being carefull to watch the health of the plant and not over taxing it to death. Anyony heard of this before and dose it work?

[RosieC]

It works on SOME phals, BUT most people here tend to advise against it.

It's a way of forcing a spike in some cases but the flowers are usually smaller and less of them than you would get from a new spike. As you have indicated you need to watch for the health of the plant because it forces a spike even if the phal doesn't have enough energy.

Even if it looks healthy when you force it you may drain and weaken it... why wait until it's showing visible signs of weakness... keep it healty in the first place rather than forcing flowers until it actually shows signs of weakness.

Personally I far prefer to let it flower when IT want's to rather than forcing it. The only time I've done something similar is when a new phal had a spike which happned to have snapped at the spot that can force flowering. As the snap had aborted otherwise healthy flowers and the plant had not had to put energy into opening all the buds (because it had snapped before that) I let the side spike that formed with three flowers carry on.

[johnblagg]

I think the within 2 weeks is a little optimistic I get mine to do this often but have actually had them sit all winter before they do and actually have found that a new spike blooms much nicer.The old spike reblooming will not ever make quite as many or as nice blooms as the first round was.

I have finaly learned just snip em off and wait for new spikes to get the best looking display

[tucker85]

I usually just leave the old stem on the plant for a month or so after the flowers are gone. Some Phals will send up a braching spike off the old stem and you'll get more flowers. Those later flowerings are seldom as nice as the origional though.

[RosieC]

I do the same as Tucker some of the time. This way if the orchid wants to send a side spike it can, but if not the spike will dry up and can be cut.

Sometimes I cut them straight away when I want it neat, all depends on the plant and where I'm going to put it after flowering.

[Call_Me_Bob]

where do you cut the spike? i have an old noid id like to experiment on. always remember, you dont want to force it to do something it doesnt have the energy for

[RosieC]

Bob, locate the node just below where the lowest flower is attached. Cut just above that node.

I don't advise it, but that's where you cut it if you want to give it a go.

[dendro photo]

thanks every body for the advice as i have said befor i am new and need this kind of giudence

[quiltergal]

I always cut my spikes to the very bottom when they're done blooming. I'm much rather have the plant put energy into growing new roots and leaves. I'm convinced that letting a plant go through a growth cycle makes it stronger and healthier. The stronger a plant is the more energy it has to spare for a spectacular new bloom cycle. I think this is also how I've been able to get many of my Phals to double spike.