Phal Flowering for One year straight...

[Singingirl96]

Hi All.
I have a phal that is very healthy and has been in bloom for about one full year now. It spiked last spring, right before the flowers died, it branched off and flowered again, than it branched off again... all from the same spike.

My question is: Should I cut the spike off even though it has 6 blooms on it to give the plant a chance to rest and send up another spike from the base?

[PaphMadMan]

If the plant looks healthy and is that happy I wouldn't change a thing. The plant does not need to rest. The only reason to cut the current spike is that it might start a new spike sooner with its long graceful arch rather than the somewhat less graceful branches. Depending on your conditions it might not start a new spike till next spring either way. Just make sure the media isn't rotting away and don't hesitate to repot even with a few flowers on it.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Singingirl96

Hi All.
I have a phal that is very healthy and has been in bloom for about one full year now. It spiked last spring, right before the flowers died, it branched off and flowered again, than it branched off again... all from the same spike.

My question is: Should I cut the spike off even though it has 6 blooms on it to give the plant a chance to rest and send up another spike from the base?

It's me again.

IMO Chids use a lot of energy to produce blooms. It's kind of like having a baby. If it were mine I'd remove the spike when these blooms begin to expire.

It's Spring and it shouldn't be long before your plant will naturally want to put forth new growth . If it's allowed to keep blooming it may weaken the plant. It's common for Phals to spike only once a year. My Florida grown Phals begin spiking just after the weather cools which is usually in December. However, they don't actually bloom until sometime between late February and early May.

[RosieC]

I like Ray's advice on this. See his website link below.
Spike Cutting

Basically he advises that FORCING a side spike (which can be done in many Phals) is a bad idea and will weaken the plant, but just leaving the spike to let it grow as it wants is not a bad thing... the plant will know if it is strong enough to do it, so let it do what it wants.

[jkhom]

Congrats!
I had one in bloom the same way as yours go for 14 months straight.
It took a little rest and now it's growing another branch!