Phal spike with no buds?

[modernmissus]

So I have a phal that I purchased in bloom, and haven't been able to rebloom it. It currently has a long spike (spiked back in July) with no buds on it. It's very green, but a couple of the nodes look dried up. I'm wondering if i'm doing something wrong. I also noticed yesterday it has another spike coming out of the same spot as this 1.

This same orchid spiked last year and developed buds that time but they ended up drying up before they had a chance to bloom. It actually grew another spike off that spike which developed buds but then the spike turned black and the buds dried up! I've never had such troubles with a phal before. Anyone have this type of experience? Any suggestions?

[WhiteRabbit]

[violetta]

Maybe you are you under watering or it is placed in a room with very low humidity?

[POLKA]

Howdy
Let me take a stab at this

Low humidity does seem the culprit -- sight unseen -- can you post a picture?

As for spiking...they should be spiking now for the spring show. With strong plants, some folks will cut the spike below the first blossom after all the flowers fade. It will be from these nodes below the first blossom that more spike may come from mid-late spring thru early summer. Anytime, actually with the high temps below 80F. BTW, you could actually leave the spent spike alone, and the very tip bud might grow again into three to 5 more buds and bloom quickly for you.

This paragraph was to show why yours spiked again -- dormant buds, optimal temps for spiking, etc.

But the low humidity has kept it from maturing the buds, and blooming again for you -- I think.

Hope this helps, and that you might have a pic of the deceased buds / spike to show.

Take care
Rex
aka POLKA

[Paddle_grl]

Do you live in a warm area? I had an orchid that was just starting to bloom and then it got really hot and we turned the air conditioner on. A few days later the buds that were forming dried up and fell off. (the flowers stayed) So maybe an extreme temperature change? Also, not all orchids will grow buds off of a spent spike.