Phal spike cut back & regrowth blooming - Orchid Board

sourcenergy · #1 01-30-2010, 01:15 PM

Hello

I have several phals that I have cut back the bloomed spike & have been getting no more than 3 or 4 blooms. Is this normal or is there something more I should know about? I also finally have some phals that have brand new spikes, they also seen to be quite a bit shorter than most Ive seen. How to I get more length on my spikes? Thanks so much!!

RosieC · #2 01-30-2010, 02:55 PM

I think generally the length of the spike depends on the genetics of the orchid so you may not be able to do much about that.

It may also depend on the overall strength of the plant. I know when one of mine produced two spikes in quick succession the second one was noticably shorter.

It is quite usual to cut back a spike after blooming, they general don't produce as many flowers after the first time and some will also naturally die off.

nutgirl · #3 01-30-2010, 07:44 PM

Is this the first reblooming since you bought them? If so, you may notice the spikes are shorter and smaller since the growing conditions for the commercial nursery is designed to get the most growth and bloom.

Our home environments are different but you may find as time goes by and your plant grows it will become more vigorous and the amount and size of blooms will increase.

Some feel that encouraging the plant to bloom a second time in a season, saps the strength that would otherwise go to growing more roots and leaves which are necessary to get better blooms.

Maureen

Ranchnanny · #4 01-31-2010, 12:15 AM

Nutgirl, I have several Phals. that are reblooming from the old spikes. I even have 4 or 5 Phals. that I purchased from Baldan's on E-Bay that had already bloomed for then and now they are reblooming for me on the cut spikes and putting out new spikes... They told me that they should have at least 2 spikes this year. I really enjoy watching the old spikes show life again.

Growing Orchids is so much fun.....
Sheridan

nutgirl · #5 01-31-2010, 11:15 AM

I agree. I have a couple that insist on reblooming throughout the year. (isn't that just awful

)

I figure if they are programmed to do that, who am I to complain.

Maureen