Question re: phal spike - Orchid Board

modernmissus · #1 10-17-2011, 08:42 PM

Hello all, I have question, I have had a phal that has been amazingly awesome!

It grew a spike that has been blooming for literally 2 years with minimal breaks. It kept growing new buds on the end of the original spike, and then when that finally stopped and I cut the spike to just above a node, it grew another stem off the original spike. This then continued to grow buds on the end of the spike as well! I've never had an orchid do this, I'm not sure why it kept growing new buds?

So when it recently seemed to have stopped again, I cut it back again to just above a node. Now I've noticed it is growing a new spike as well as another new growth off the original spike! This orchid hasn't had a rest in 2 years! Should I just enjoy this, or should I cut the old spike to give more energy to the new one?

Sorry for the long post! Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Daethen · #2 10-17-2011, 08:56 PM

In my sort of experienced opinion, if it has been going this well and if it doesn't look sick in any way, let it bloom, let it bloom, let it bloom.

Zoi2 · #3 10-17-2011, 09:31 PM

I would also be inclined to just let it do its thing. When was the last time you checked roots and repotted in fresh media?
Joann

cythaenopsis · #4 10-18-2011, 12:55 AM

Yeah, the orchid knows what is best for it. If it is thriving like that, then your environment and care is to blame.

Are the flowers smaller than average? I've heard that the smaller phals are hybrids that will bloom all the time. If you get a chance, post some pictures.

camille1585 · #5 10-18-2011, 05:09 AM

Sounds like a strong sequential bloomer, so it's normal for a spike to keep producing buds for a long long time. As long as the plant is growing roots and growing leaves that are still as large as the previous ones, all is good

I have a Phal which has been doing something similar for nearly 3 years now. I never trim spikes, but they produce side spikes on their own, as well as keikis. It's healthy and happy for now, so I leave it.

RosieC · #6 10-20-2011, 05:23 PM

One danger is that cutting just above the node can force new side spikes on a plant that is not strong enough. It's a different matter if it naturally produces new side spikes without that.

However in this case it does sound like you have a sequential bloomer and that it's doing well. Like others have said, just check the plant seems healthy, that it is growing and that it is producing leaves the same size as the older ones. If it's not growing or the new leaves are not reaching the size of older ones, then I would start becoming concerned and in that case would probably cut the spike right back to the base next time.