green spikes w/o buds

[rehric00]

I have 2 phals that have green spikes w/o buds. One of the phals is in bloom, the other lost all of its flowers when I repotted. Will these stay alive long enough to produce buds? or do they eventually just die off... Thanks!

[johnblagg]

they can make new lateral spikes with more buds If in fair health

[silken]

It's usually best to cut the spikes back part way to just above a node. Then they often re-grow from there and sometimes branch out producing more flowers. A nice thing about Phals is that they can re-bloom on the old spike!

[Daethen]

Like John said, they can make side spikes. Or on occasion they can continue the spike from the end. If it starts to turn brown it is dying back and you can cut it short. Or you can cut it off above the first node below the last flower to try to force a side spike.

[rehric00]

Thank you all. I dont know if these spikes have produced anything yet, im pretty sure they have not. so I am going to let them be for a while and see if i get lucky

[Paul Mc]

I got a few phal's from neighbors and immediately repotted (as they don't keep good care of them) and the flowers had almost all witherd. Once I repotted the remaining flowers fell off. But about one or two months later they started reblooming on the old stems. I'd say keep the stems where they are and see what happens. I've never done the cutting back a bit method before, but it might be worth researching.

[neb]

If you can post some pictures of the spikes perhaps someone can give you a more definite answer.

[BobInBonita]

Yes - pictures definitely help.

With my first phals, when they started growing aerial roots, I was sure they were spikes. No matter how long I waited or what I did, they never budded. I couldn't understand why they were growing sideways and even downward.

I usually leave the spikes after they bloom until they turn brown, and only cut them when they are brown. I have some that stayed green for almost a year before branching and budding again.

It's an aesthetic thing. Some people like the look of a long sinewy spike and cut the old ones back so the plant has to grow a new spike. Other people like the look of a branching spike.

I don't think either way make much of a difference to the plant, it's what you like better.

[rehric00]

Here is a pic of the plant I am referring to. I cut off the dead spike. It is no longer there. So all the is left are the 2 green spikes. Do you think they will eventually produce buds???

[BobInBonita]

Those are definitely NOT aerial roots. It's hard to tell if the spikes are old ones that have finished blooming or if they are new spikes. Either way, they are nice and green, so they may produce buds (or side spikes) either way. (I'm leaning a little towards spent spikes - buds are generally more rounded at the end.)

You might consider giving your plant a little more light - it could be the picture, but the leaves are a little darker than I personally like.