Repotted Phal throwing third spike - Orchid Board

Izzie · #1 12-03-2010, 01:40 PM

My beautiful Art Shade noid phal is throwing it's THIRD spike of the year. That is, the second one off of an old spike from two years ago.

It was just repotted a month ago, but is doing well and has a good root system. Should I let it do it's thing, or save it from itself? How detrimental would a spike be on a healthy plant that is freshly repotted?

It was not repotted until two months after it's last spike finished, so it did get a bit of a "rest."

tucker85 · #2 12-03-2010, 01:58 PM

We grow orchids for the flowers so if the plant wants to bloom I would let bloom. Enjoy.

RosieC · #3 12-03-2010, 02:07 PM

If you've not done anything to force the spike, such as cutting an old spike in the key spot to force it, then just leave it to flower... it's obviously happy and healthy and wanting to flower.

Some Phals are not thrown off their stride at all by repotting so if it's wanting to flower then let it.

The only time I've tried to stop one spiking was when it had almost no roots, other than that I let them do their thing.

Izzie · #4 12-03-2010, 02:13 PM

Suhweet. Glad to hear that I'm on a roll! This is one of my best growing phals, behind noid 'Daphne' and Phal. Pingtung Gold.
I'm looking forward to smelling it again.

Izzie · #5 12-03-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

If you've not done anything to force the spike, such as cutting an old spike in the key spot to force it

There's a magic spot? Where's that?

RosieC · #6 12-03-2010, 04:23 PM

Hmm, not sure I should tell

It doesn't work every time and I'm in the camp of folks who think it shouldn't be done because it weakens the plant and can force blooming at the expense of the plan't health.

Ray describes it here, as well as his feeling it's not a good idea. Spike Cutting

camille1585 · #7 12-03-2010, 05:49 PM

If the plant blooms of its own free will, leave it be, it's happy! I never cut spikes and let them do their thing as job as they're green. As a result I have one phal that hangs on to it's old spikes that keep extending, all the while growing new spikes. Now it's decided that that's not enough, and is sprouting multiple sideshoots on the old spikes (which are still extending to produce buds). As a result the monster has 6 blooming spikes with another 5-6 side spikes. Been in NONSTOP bloom since December 6th 2008, and it's as happy as a clam. All that to tell you to let your phal do what it wants.