Should I Cut My Phal?

[vampyrlesion]

Here's some pics. The plant is really healthy (so i think) and it's done blooming.

I'm afraid that if i cut it all the way down to the base then it's going to take 10 years to grow back. lol

It looks like the tip of the spike is dying though, so I think I should probably do something...

This is probably the most commonly asked question ever...
But there's so many different answers and nothing I've found is a really solid answer with an explanation.

Thanks everyone!

[Blueszz]

It's totally up to want you want :-)
I often cut spikes because I want the plant to invest in roots and leafs adn I hope it will give me even more and fatter buts the next time. Sometimes I decide not to cut the spike, for instance in a Phal that always makes new buds at the end of the spike. This one might grow a longer spike in the future in addition to new spikes.

You could cut it just above the upper node, it might reflower in a short time span for you.

Well, as I said before, it's what *you* want. Keep in mind that in a forest no one cuts the spikes that ended blooming. On the other hand, a spike that turns brown never will rebloom, at least not from the part that turned brown.

I doubt if I was any help for you

[camille1585]

I agree with Nicole, that for spikes that are still green you have a choice of cutting it completely or cutting it to encourage side spikes. But seeing as the spike on yours is starting to turn yellow, that's the end of it for this one, it won't do anything else. I would just cut it off at the base. Don't worry about waiting forever for new blooms. If you take care of it right it shouldn't be long until it grows another spike. A lot of phals set spikes in the fall when the temperatures go down. Some set spikes whenever they want. Until then, your plant needs to recover from this blooming and grow some nice roots and leaves.

[seamonkey]

I have about a dozen phals (well, maybe more like 20) and I almost always cut the spike right off, as I've never got more than four flowers from a re-blooming spike. Have faith: the plant will re-spike!

[chips]

I agree. Cut the spike down to the bottom. Whenever I do this, it rewards me with a lovely new spike in the fall.

[vampyrlesion]

thanks guys - i was just so afraid to do it

we'll see how it goes!!!

thanks so much!