Phalaenopsis schilleriana prodigy

[Roberta]

Last year I featured this Phalaenopsis schilleriana in this thread: Confused - or multitasking - Phalaenopsis

I posted it in the Beginner Discussion forum because it addresses the question of whether or not to cut spent spikes, what to do with keikis...

Last year it grew leaves (but no roots) along the spikes, then went on to produce flowers. Following up...

One of the keikis finally produced two good roots, and I separated it, put it in its own basket. It's now blooming. But the other keiki produced just one small root, so I left it attatched to its old spike. That seems to have been the right choice, it produced a nice spike this year., The mother plant, though, went all out. This time it produced a many-branched spike that is about 35 inches (almost a meter) long, full of flowers. So, I have the monster spike and also the smaller spike that the keiki on last year's old spike also has produced. I'm not complaining, this is a wonderful plant! Here is what it looks like now.

It's growing in a wood basket with some sphagnum. But most of the roots have attached to the basket, so it's growing more like a mounted plant. I grow it hanging, it gets watered every 2 days.

[Dalachin]

Impressive, what a plant! This year I finally have one blooming, one precious flower! Will post it soon.

[Leafmite]

Very nice!
It should just get better and better every year. I just added a Phal schilleriana to my collection spring of 2023.

[DeaC]

These are gorgeous. My 4N has just 1 spike and 2 blooms but color is deep and saturated, mounted on cork with s/m.

[Fairorchids]

Phal schilleriana is an 'extreme' case, but it illustrates so well what old flower spikes can produce. My dad had one, which eventually bloomed:

• From main plant
• From 2 or 3 keikis on old spikes from main plant.
• From 1 keiki on old spike from the largest keiki.

Most hybrids are not as prolific. From close to 55 years of observations, it is my impression that:

• Whites rarely produce anything on old spikes.
• Yellows often extend the spike.
• Pinks commonly produce a side branch.

However, if nothing happens in 3-4 months, it is unlikely to occur.