Disfigured phal needs makeover

[phaladdict]

Hi! This is kind of silly, but one of my phal is disfigured and I don't know what to do! I don't even know how to explain it, so I have attached 2 pictures. As you can see, main spike is very long with secondary spike coming out of it. Also, right next to main spike, there is another spike coming out. My question is, do I cut those extra spikes or leave them alone? It seems like they are not doing much, except just being there... Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

[Royal]

Hi phaladdict, Your phal doesn't look disfigured. It looks pretty happy. Multiple spikes can be a sign of a well grown plant, but it can also be a distress signal. If the roots look fine it's probably just very happy and giving you extra flowers.

If the spikes are new and still growing, leave them alone. If they are old and previously held blooms, go ahead and snip it off.

[camille1585]

I agree, there's nothing unusual about your plants. Some hybrids have a tendancy to branch off (secondary spike). And it's good that the phal is making a second spike, it means your plant is happy happy! If you cut both of those, you won't get to enjoy more blooms!

[jkofferdahl]

Gotta agree with Royal that the plant looks fine. There are two schools of thought on handling a stem which has bloomed but hasn't died. I agree with Royal's approach of clipping it. However, if you see any active growth on the stem then leave it alone!

[jakina22]

Your spikes are fine. I too was not sure what to do with the spikes- cut them or leave them? So I just left them alone. Some spikes stayed green, or at least did not die after it dropped its flowers. Now they are growing off the old spike and sprouting new spikes as well. The spike will tell you what to do after it drops its flowers. You may want to stake the new spike so it grows upwards some- that will help balance.

[Gwenchanter]

If you are at all worried about the health of the roots, snip off the old spikes. Even though it's nice to get blooms off of old stems, they won't be as spectacular as if you had removed them and let the plant concentrate it's energy on growing during the growing season. Then when blooming season comes around again, a better grown plant will produce more flowers.

[Gwenchanter]

If you are at all worried about the health of the roots, snip off the old spikes. Even though it's nice to get blooms off of old stems, they won't be as spectacular as if you had removed them and let the plant concentrate it's energy on growing roots and leaves during the growing season. Then when blooming season comes around again, a better grown plant will produce more flowers.

As far as being disfigured, I have to giggle a little bit because it seems as though perhaps you have never been to an orchid show? Show quality plants almost always have tons of branching inflorescences. That's just what an older well established plant looks like. It's funny that many people have only seen the little single- spike young plants that big box stores sell and think thats "normal". So, be happy that you have branching inflorescences and go join an orchid society where you can win prizes for a well established plant like yours! Heres a picture of one of mine that could have been show quality if it didn't get botrytis (little brown spots on the flowers). You can see all of it's branches in this top-view photo.

[phaladdict]

Thanks everybody for advice. I must have a very special phal!

Gwenchanter, that is a gorgeous orchid! No, I have never been to orchid show. I would love to go, but it might be too dangerous for me!