Should I cut these phal spikes?

[sheiman]

My phal has stopped blooming and I'm wondering if I should cut its two spikes to encourage growth. I watched a video on the AOS website about cutting phal spikes but I'm not sure if I should cut each spike all the way at the bottom or not.

It has a new leaf growing as well as a little nub growth that I'm not sure is a root or a spike. I took a pic, sorry for the poor quality but you can kind of see the nub there in the middle, a light greenish yellow color:


Here's one more pic from another angle:


So, to cut or not to cut? And if I cut, should I do it at the bottom of each spike?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Ashleigh's Orchids]

I would personally cut right from the bottom as whe you cut just above the highest node when it re-flowers and blooms the flowers wont be a big or as bright as the original, when you cut the spike right down it can concentrate all its energy on bigger brighter blooms and can have the chance to grow new leaves or roots if needed. Its up to you where you cut the stalk but its apparently healthier for your orchid to cut the stalk right down. But as i said at the end of the day its up to you, some people dont even cut the stalk at all they leave it but im sure someone else who has more knowledge on that way can inform you more on that way.
Hope i helped a little

[camille1585]

Like Ashleigh says, where to cut spikes is just a matter of personal preference. Some people don't even cut them at all while they're green, and wait for them to turn brown before cutting. In my case, I either let the spike turn brown first or I just cut it off at the base. I don't really like the smaller and not so numerous blooms of the forced spikes

[ardera]

I got my Phal (first ever orchid) almost exactly a year ago, while he was in bloom and had 2 spikes when I got it. So here I am a year later, and I think it is getting ready to open it's last bloom. I have decided I will cut my spikes completely, since after over a year, I think my baby needs a break. If he hadn't been working so hard, for so long, then I probably would have just forced a spike

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'd leave the spikes alone. They'll dry out on their own. And you never know if they'll produce more flowers or kheikis.

Another thing to note in the future. If you're going to lean the Phal on it's side, look at the orchid from the top first. You'll notice most of the times that the Phal will arrange their leaves in a chevron type pattern. When you lean the orchid on it's side, the chevron should be upside down (upside down "v"). The leaf tips should point downwards. Then face the Phal pointing in the direction of your light source. Keep this in mind and the leaf orientation of your Phals should look very organized in the future instead of sprawling all over the place.

Just thought you'd like to know how to grow a better organized looking Phal.

[Ashleigh's Orchids]

Good tip king of orchid growing, im going to try that as it would be nice to have a better organised looking phal, thanks very much

[sheiman]

This is all great advice everyone, thank you! I think I'll leave the spikes alone for awhile and see how it goes.

Thanks again!

[SewPretty]

when mine finish flowering I wait a little while and when they start to turn brown I cut them as close to the plant as possible.

the little nub is probably a new root. Since the plant still has flower spikes it is unlikely that it would be a new spike so soon.

other than that your plant look very healthy to me. keep up the good work