growth cycle ending...need advice please

[Erin Raven Skye]

I bought a beautiful Phal last year that had two flower spikes completely filled with blooms. The blooms dropped, and I decided to leave the spikes, instead of cutting them. When it got closer to spring I repotted the orchid, and put it in a room that was colder than the rest of my house to try to stimulate growth. Not only did the two previous spikes start re-growing, but a third spike grew as well! Unfortunately, one spike was inadvertantly damaged and never bloomed, the other old spike only had one bloom, and the new spike that grew this year had three blooms, so I'm thinking I need to cut them back so it will refocus it's energy...but what to do? Trim all three? Just the older two? Cut them completely, or to one of the nodes?

Separately, last night as I was moving my phal I noticed in addition to a bunch of new air root growth, a tiny little leaf growth separate from the rest of the plant...so I think I'm having a baby! Very exciting.

Suggestions? Advice? All opinons welcome

[Ross]

Just a guess, but probably either fungus gnats or shore flies. Hopefully it's shore flies. The jouveniles are like miniature adults (really teeny) and they eat diatoms and algae. The jouveniles of the fungus gnats are white worms. They stick with fungus till that runs out then turn to roots and root hairs. Not so good. Fungus gnats can be controlled with Safer's Soap, Schultz Garden Safe, Neem Oil, etc. Shore flies are hopeless. Best thing is control the algae.

[cirillonb]

I have those too and would like to know what they are. They are not seeming to do any harm and I can keep them down with a soap/cinnamon soak.(but not eliminate them)
Nick

[Cookiemonster]

Im going to assume your little bugs are springtails-- I know they dont do any intentional damage but it might be a sign to change the medium or reduce watering- they often show up when the medium is decaying,the plant is rotting and moisture---

They could be anything the buggies- could be gnats and such, if you water and see soem stuff flying around that could be them!

[Erin Raven Skye]

I did some digging online and I think what I have is book lice. The description matched what I have perfectly, and I think it's from a mini-rose plant that I recently purchased. I quickly put it outside, and I think as I allow my medium to dry out it should take care of them. I went to look at them again, and couldn't find a one, so I don't think I'll have much of a problem. Check it out, and see if it matches your case as well

[cirillonb]

that could be it. Mine are certainly almost microscopic. I still think I will go after them with a soap solution.
Nick

[Ray]

Just a comment on Erin's original post: phals grow faster if kept warmer, not cooler.

The thing to do is give the plants a long period of warmth to grow and build up stores, then expose them to cooler periods to initiate spiking - a few weeks will do. The result will be bigger, better, and more flowers.

[Erin Raven Skye]

Originally Posted by Ray

expose them to cooler periods to initiate spiking - a few weeks will do.

that's what I did do, I guess I didn't word it clear enough?