Pinching Flowers

[Anee]

Alright so, I've been left with two mini orchids and they are doing very well, plant-wise. Both growing new leaves and roots.

But something is going on with one of them. When it had flowers, they were starting to dry up while it was in the tight pot that I bought it in. So I repotted... but the buds just kept getting spent. I didn't want to keep looking at a failed orchid experience, so I pinched the flowers and the buds off, but I didn't pull them off.

It has one large stem with two branches, and it seems that some growth is returning on the very end of the main stem. But I don't see anything new off of the rest of the old spikes. Did I screw up by pinching everything off? Are the spikes just dormant now???

[Wjs2nd]

Never pinch-off the old flowers or buds. They will naturally fall off when done. Once your spike is done flowering you can cut it back. However, if it doesn't brown then the spike doesn't need cut back and will rebloom.

[WhiteRabbit]

New growth on spikes will be at the end, or from nodes (spike may branch from nodes) - the rest of the spike will remain bare. Not all Phals will continue to bloom off the same spike - so just need to wait and see what it does.

[james mickelso]

I opt for a different approach. Reading what you wrote leads me to believe that you are new to growing phals. I would cut the old spent spikes just above the first two nodes. Counting from the plant. Leave about an inch above the second. If the plant has the energy it will push a new growth from the second bud. I cut the old spent spikes off in order to allow the plant to replenish it's strength. If the growing conditions aren't optimal, then allowing a secondary flowering only saps it's reserves. I'm not in favor of this but know some growers who are experienced at growing phals well that can get a good second flowering without straining the plant. It's your plant so you decide what you want to do. Mine is just a suggestion.

[Anee]

I didn't cut anything back because I was seeing growth at the end of the stem. It is now blooming on the end, but the rest of the stem and branches are dormant. I hope it's not because I removed the flowers instead of waiting til they fell off naturally. The spikes aren't yet completely decayed so maybe I should wait and see? I'm just thinking, since the end is active, the rest should be showing some change but that does not seem to be the case.

[Wynn Dee13]

New flowers won't grow out where previous flowers grew. The spike can branch at a node or grow more flowers from the tip of the spike but that's all. Cut the spike when it turns brown. It won't produce more flowers from that spike at that point.

Flowers and buds can drop prematurely for many reasons. One common reason is a change in the plants environment. So bringing it home from the store can cause it. Repotting can cause it too. Can you show us your plant pot and all? Are these your first orchids?

I prefer to cut my spikes all the way off after all the flowers have dropped or withered. Even if it is still green. I also pinch dead or withered flowers off. It will not hurt the plant or prevent it from blooming. But like I said before flowers will not bloom on the same place on the spike where old flowers grew. I don't cut my spikes at a node and let it bloom from that spike again. I find that the flowers are smaller and there are less of them when you let them bloom off of the spike again. I think it is better to cut the spike all the way off and let the plant rest. Then it will grow new leaves and roots and build up more energy for the next spike. The next spike will have more flowers and they are bigger. The exception for me is Phals that are sequential bloomers. Everyone has their own preference so do what you feel is right for you. Good luck!

[Wynn Dee13]

Originally Posted by Wjs2nd

Never pinch-off the old flowers or buds. They will naturally fall off when done. Once your spike is done flowering you can cut it back. However, if it doesn't brown then the spike doesn't need cut back and will rebloom.

What makes you think there is something wrong with pinching dead flowers off? It doesn't hurt the plant. I'm just curious why you think that.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Anee

I didn't cut anything back because I was seeing growth at the end of the stem. It is now blooming on the end, but the rest of the stem and branches are dormant. I hope it's not because I removed the flowers instead of waiting til they fell off naturally. The spikes aren't yet completely decayed so maybe I should wait and see? I'm just thinking, since the end is active, the rest should be showing some change but that does not seem to be the case.

It's perfectly normal to not see anything happening on the stem. Buds will not regrow from their original location. The only thing that can happen on a bloomless spike is for the tip to wake up and grow (which it did) or for side spikes to sprout from nodes further down, but that doesn't naturally happen often. Those usually wake up after pruning back the stem.
I think you were already quite lucky for the tip to get going again, depending on genetics many Phals don't even do that.

Don't worry about having removed the blooms/buds! They are only reproductive organs, and their absemce affects the plant in no way.

[RJSquirrel]

Ive gotten to the point where I myself will remove deformed or bad flowers. I dont like to look at them either. It stresses the plant too much IMO trying to spend its energy to repair something it cant.
Its takes time growin them little nubbins. You got a few months to go yet.

good luck!!! and we like pretty pictures too

[RosieC]

I don't think you should worry that you've done anything wrong. I can't see any reason that pinching out the buds will cause any problem, I've done it myself with fading ones though I usually prefer to let them drop naturally.

As others have said they won't grow again from the place of the old flowers, but tip may grow more buds, or a side spike may form.

I don't favour cutting back to try and get side spikes as it can force the plant to flower when it is not strong enough, I favour either cutting the spike right back to the base, or leaving it to do it's own thing and grow if it wants or die back if it doesn't want.