My new phal! Should I cut this spike?

[alannanoelle]

I finally got the new phal that my husband rescued from the dumpster. I was shocked to see what good condition it is in! It was obviously taken care of...it even looks like someone trimmed the stem. But I guess they gave up and threw it out. Now it's mine, hooray! It looks wonderful. The new root growth looks excellent. From what I can tell, they are the healthiest looking roots I have ever seen.







Do you recommend I cut the spike, or should I leave it as is? Also, what is the little branch coming out of the spike near the top? I am guessing it's just another stem branching off, but it's so twisted, I'm not sure.

What do you recommend I do?
Thanks!

[BikerDoc5968]

The brance looks like a secondary spike. If there is a bud at its end, then leave the spike for the potential flower. Otherwise, I am of the opinion cutting old spikes to the base will allow the plant to grow a new spike at flower time and the flowers seem to be larger and of more vibrant color. You will hear from others who leave old spikes and allow them to grow secondary spikes.

[camille1585]

Nice save! How could someone toss such a healthy plant?
I agree with everything BikerDoc said. There are people who prefer to cut, and others who prefer to leave them and see what happens. I prefer to cut them. Since the plant and roots are healthy (have you unpotted to check the roots in the medium?) I think the choice is yours!

[brighteyez]

total beginner question here! i didn't even think of cutting spikes until i read this thread. why would you do that? what's the pros and cons?

[Ross]

Cutting the spikes leaves more resources for the plant to develope new leaves and roots (the goal here.)

[BikerDoc5968]

As I stated above and you'll have lots of people expressing lots of different pro's and con's so experiment....can't hurt

[jkofferdahl]

As BikerDoc explained, the school of thought behind cutting the stem off is that spike and flower growth take a lot of energy. A flower spike is essentially a specialized leaf growth. The more energy used by the plant in blooming, the less available for leaf and root growth. Thus, they say that the natural flowering is a good thing, but encouraging a second blooming is stressful to the plant.

The other school argues that if the plant is healthy and vigorous, and it is capable of a secondary blooming, then why not? Some books and growers actually encourage the practice. Typically, you cut the stem about a half an inch above the last growth node on the stem BEFORE where the first flower appears, and it awakens the dormant growth eye at this node, creating a new spike.

I am not personally going to advocate either practice in general. I've grown both ways in the past. However, in the case of your plant I think I'd side with those who say you should cut the spike off. The plant was rescued, and while it looks healthy right now stress can take a while to actually show on a Phal. I would err on the side of caution, and presume that the plant is stressed, and so in need of rest and focus. A healthy plant will grow a new spike and fine new blooms, but a stressed plant probably won't (if it does the flowering won't be nearly as good and the flowers may actually be misformed).

If you cut the stem off, cut it down at the base - and here, too, you'll hear arguments of how close to the plant to cut, but my own preference is about a half an inch from the plant. Dust the cut site with cinnamon, which will keep fungi from possibly invading the plant.

[alannanoelle]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I think I will go ahead and cut the spike, though it will be hard to see it go!