Phalenopsis - will it spike any time during year?

[ginger's mommy]

Hi,

I have only had orchids for a few years now, however, this fall I had four out of seven set spikes, which was very exciting. I have a phalenopsis at work that I feel receives ideal conditions (I have it on a humidity tray, although I'm sure the air is dry. It may get a little less humidity than it would like, but otherwise all conditions seem excellent). I had it on my porch in the fall so it would benefit from the temperature change, however, it did not set a spike like my others. Do I have to wait until next fall, or will it spike at any time during the year?

Thank you!

[johnblagg]

I have had one spike in late spring before and then bloom all summer

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This question has multiple answers depending on what you're trying to ask specifically.

1. If you're trying to artificially induce blooming of your Phalaenopsis, then the answer is essentially, you can do it any time you want.

But...

Is it good for the long term health of your plants?

I'd have to say no.

For any plant (orchid or not) to put up a spike and bloom, it takes a lot of energy. In other words, it's energetically expensive.

If you're trying to repeatedly artificially induce blooming multiple times in a year, that can cause major problems that can lead to the plant's demise.

Do people artificially induce blooming in Phals?

The answer is a resounding, yes! This is why Phals can be sold at any time of the year.

However, that doesn't mean it's necessarily a practice that should be done by a hobbyist without discretion.

2. If you're asking about whether a Phal (Phal is the actual scientific abbreviation for Phalaenopsis), naturally blooms all throughout the year. The answer is, it depends. Some bloom once a year only. Others can bloom two or three times a year naturally.

Not all Phals have the same bloom cycle, btw.

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by ginger's mommy

Hi,

Do I have to wait until next fall, or will it spike at any time during the year?

Thank you!

sounds like a question of "can it spike on its own at any time of year" to me not how do I force it.....would definatly need to know which hybrid or species it is to answer that one

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

sounds like a question of "can it spike on its own at any time of year" to me not how do I force it.....would definatly need to know which hybrid or species it is to answer that one

Then the answer depends on what kind of Phal she (ginger's mommy) has got.

[josterha]

I have had phals spike anytime from fall to spring. I think that temperature is the main factor in getting a spike to initiate. In my home, fall and spring seem to be the best times, because there is more likely to be an open window at night and the plants are allowed to cool-off enough. I hear that 62 degrees is like the magic number. I love it when I get spring spikes, because I get phal overload in the winter (like now). It's nice to spread the love a little.

John