re-spiking??? - Orchid Board

flhiker · #1 06-30-2007, 02:21 PM

Hi all, I have a couple of Phal's that ended its blooms, one I cut the spike and the other I left alone. The one I left alone as started to re-spike.

My question is: Is this good for the Plants future or is my green with envy smiley a bit premature. I probably should just be happy with the new flowers.

Also do I cut of the dying part of the spike?

Any info is welcomed

Phantasm · #2 06-30-2007, 03:56 PM

The answer depends on the size and vigor of the plant. If the plant is fairly immature, I would be careful of taxing it. Orchids can bloom themselves to death......
On the other hand, a mature plant can stay in bloom on the same inflorescense for a long time without any obvious damage. Just remember that energy spent on flowering will subtract from energy spent on growing.

If you keep the flowers, you can go ahead and cut off the dead part of the spike.

Ross · #3 06-30-2007, 04:33 PM

I agree

I have one Phal that won't leave me alone. I cut the spent spike and the brat sent up another.

But in short, my guide (for what it's worth) is the plant still sending out leaf growth (either growing an existing leaf or forming a new one. If so, it's strong enough to rebloom. If it seems to be sitting their without vegetative growth, I'd cut the spike. Mine was sitting there so I kept cutting the new spikes. Finally it started growing new leaf.

flhiker · #4 06-30-2007, 04:45 PM

Thanks I will watch it for a couple of days and then decide. I never could of imagined there would be so much to learn. It definitely is easier to find wild orchids then grow them.

Ross · #5 06-30-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flhiker

Thanks I will watch it for a couple of days and then decide. I never could of imagined there would be so much to learn. It definitely is easier to find wild orchids then grow them.

Dave, some spring when I come down to Tampa to visit rest of my family I'd like to connect up with you (if you agree) and go look at wild stuff. I'm pretty-well tuned in to Encyclia tampensis, but some of the other (leafless) ones you've postsed have really gotten me interested. I don't mind walking through whatever to get there.

flhiker · #6 06-30-2007, 07:08 PM

That would be Great!

And as offered before, the invitation is available to all members. You can email or PM me anytime and will discuss what you will need. I only have 1 rule: no gps's

Ray · #7 07-02-2007, 10:28 AM

In my opinion, if you did nothing to induce the reblooming, and the plant decided to do so by itself, it's no problem.