Novice needs help with trimming/cutting questions

[mlm300m]

I went crazy and bought a bunch of phalaenopsis - all in bloom. A few are done blooming (I think!) and I don't know what to do. Am I supposed to chop off the spikes to let new spikes grow in, or do the old spikes re-bloom. I've bought the Guide to Growing Orchids by the Orchid Society of Am., and Orchids for Dummies, and neither one addresses this very important issue. In fact, in searching the internet, I've had little luck finding answers to the spike v. no spike question. Can you halp me, please?

[isurus79]

You can get Phals to re-bloom on the same spikes by cutting off the old flowers, but leaving the spike. Im sure someone will jump in with the exact way to do this. I dont really know how because Im a big fan of chopping the spike off as soon as the flowers are done. That is because I would rather the plant put all of its energy in creating new growth. Strong new growth equals strong vibrant flowers the next time your 'chid is in bloom. Its definitely a trade off that you can decide for yourself: would you prefer more flowers right now or would prefer stronger, better flowers the next time your plant blooms? There is no correct answer (well, in my head there is! ), only your personal preference.

P.S. I didnt see that this was your first post. Welcome to the Board!!

[Ross]

Welcome to the board! Many of us choose not to try for rebloom of Phals. Some do. If you chosse to do this, find the highest viable flower bud (highest on the spike) that shows some new green growth, and clip the spike just above this point. I do this for Tolunias, but not Phals. I choose to let the Phals grow new leaves and get bigger. The Tolumnias just keep doing their thing.

[jkofferdahl]

When the spike appears to be finished blooming, and if the plant appears to be healthy and sound, you can cut the spike about a quarter of an inch above the last node on the stem before where the first flower appeared. Underneath what appears to be a small, triangular cover at this node is, in fact, a true node that may sprout and grow into a new flower stem (or it may grow into a keiki). If it is not going to grow then the stem will begin to yellow, at which point you may clip it off about a half an inch from the base.

Not all Phal spikes will rebloom, but many will, so it's worth giving it the opportunity.

[quiltergal]

I've tried it both ways. Two summers ago I cut the spike just above the next viable node. (It's viable if the triangular covering is still green and not paper and dry.) I got a few new flowers from all my Phals, but the flowers were smaller and not as numerous. Last summer I decided to experiment as I had read a thread on this board the debated cut it off vs let it rebloom. I cut all my spikes off in early June. All the plants grew new leaves and roots over the summer and just generally seemed happy and healthy. In the fall after a few cool nights I noticed they were all sending up new spikes. One was even sending up double spikes. The flowers have since bloomed and one spike has a total of 10 huge flowers. I hope it doesn break under the weight of them all. The double spike gave me 13 huge flowers. You can probably see where this is headed. I will cut all spikes as soon as the last flower drops.