Any chance of a spike?

[en3rmax]

Hi there, i've had my orchid since easter and was wondering if there is any chance of a spike this year? the suspense is killing me

I've got another phal that has been in bloom for over 3 months without losing a single flower

[Erce]

you could try to cut back on the water and place it somewhere a littel cooler for some weeks - only water when its about to dry out complitly

[RenéeS]

quite a healthy looking plant . Is the top leaf a new growth since you got it? A phal can show new spikes quite soon when you treat it right and yours looks great! Just take in effect it's needs for light, water and temperature.

[SP2340]

Phals should start their blooming season soon. I have two that just started growing spikes but I still have a bunch you havn't started yet. I, personally, would not cut back on the water but cut back on the fertilizer. The leaves are beautiful BTW!

[en3rmax]

Hi RenéeS,

The leaf second from right was small when i had it in april and the leaf in the middle has been growing for about 4 months

[en3rmax]

thanku SP2340,

i take good care of her :-) i clean the leaves every now and again with damp kitchen roll with a little bit of olive oil on it.

[RosieC]

It's looking great.

Mine aren't spiking yet this year either. They tend to like a drop in temperatures which they should have had, but I'm just getting new leaves and roots. Make sure you are not heating the house all the time, in the past I've found that just leaving the heating off at night has been enough.

You're plant looks quite healthy enough to spike this year. I think just be patient, one of mine spiked arround March last year, so there is still plenty of time for it to start over the winter.

[Erce]

Originally Posted by RosieC

It's looking great.

Mine aren't spiking yet this year either. They tend to like a drop in temperatures which they should have had, but I'm just getting new leaves and roots. Make sure you are not heating the house all the time, in the past I've found that just leaving the heating off at night has been enough.

You're plant looks quite healthy enough to spike this year. I think just be patient, one of mine spiked arround March last year, so there is still plenty of time for it to start over the winter.

how cold do you get it at night then? here in denmark it freezing at night

[RosieC]

Currently outside temps are getting down to 4C but it does not get that cold inside, I think at the momment it is getting down to about 12C inside.

It will get colder over the winter, we get frosts and snow over the winter usually, but I didn't have a min/max thermometer last year so I have no idea what sort of temps we get in the house.

My understanding is that not all Phals respond to cooler temps, but in past years mine seem to have done.

[Nic100]

Mine seem to be doing the same as yours Rosie - I have new roots and leaves but no spikes yet.

I don't have any idea how cold it gets inside either, but never cold enough to have the heating on all night. Hot water bottles, maybe (for me not the 'chids)! But last year I had a phal in bloom at Christmas and it respiked in spring for summer blooms.

I like the idea of the olive oil... I use mayonnaise!