what should i do with flower spikes?

[Matt]

3 of my phals are finishing blooming. 2 of them had bloomed a few months back and after blooming i cut the spike back to the first flower node. i was hppyto see a new flower spike growing about a month later and they have flowered well. should i continue to cut the spike back to the node or the plant or should i just leave them alone? is there any benifit to any way?

[cricketerry]

I tend to cut spikes back as low as I can and then try to get the plant to produce a completely new spike. I have found that if you continue to cut back to a node then the flowers get progressively smaller.

It is really a question of choice, cutting back to a node stands a good chance of throwing a secondary spike which is great if you can't give the plant the right conditions to make a new one.

If you are cutting back to a node for a second time I would cut back to one on the original spike if at all possible.

[Matt]

sounds like good advice. thanks

[mayres]

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish Matt. There are good reasons to cut or not to cut depending upon the health and age of the plant. With weak or young plants it is often a good idea to cut the spike completely in order for the plant to focus on rebuilding its leaves and root system instead of pouring energy into more flowers. Also as noted above - each progressive blooming tyically has smaller and/or fewer flowers (though not always). Some people, like myself, don't particulary like the aesthetics of subspikes and supspikes of subspikes and would just as soon have the plant get bigger and better and produce a pristine new spike next season to enjoy. Some folks don't ever cut the spikes off until they brown. Some folks cut them at the base immediately. Some trim at different nodes for various reasons - the choice is always yours! Enjoy!

[Matt]

thanks. that pretty much answered my questions. i have cosen to cut them down to the base to focus on growing and producing a new full spike. thanks for the helpfull advise