Cut spike on non-stop blooming Phal?

[The Mutant]

Thanks for all of your input. I've let it keep its new spike and it's growing very happily at the moment.

This is the third Phal I have that's doing this at the moment. The other two are a NoID (it's named Snow Mound, but it's not registered) which I purchased in February this year, in bloom, and which is STILL blooming, but on its newest spike. It had three when I purchased it and those three spikes all got more buds after staying with me for a while (it had 30 flowers opened at most), then a fourth spike emerged and it's this one that has started to bloom now (the remaining one of the old spikes still has four flowers on it, so I won't cut it yet).

Here's my NoID as its peak with its original three spikes:



The other Phal is a Dtps. Tzu Chiang Orange C#1 that I ordered from England and which was shipped to me in bloom (on six! spikes) in March. This original six spikes are still blooming and there are two new ones emerging.

And here it was when I had just repotted it after receiving it (I had to cut some parts of some of the leaves off, since it had developed some sort of bacterial rot; soft, brown, and very rapid spreading spots, in case you're wondering about its leaves):


All three of these Phals have gotten new leaves and roots and all look very happy with life, so it seems the summer has been absolutely perfect for them, and that they've gotten enough fertilizer to bloom as much as they have.

Originally Posted by magicatt

I would let it spike. Happy orchids spike. Enjoy it. Besides if it dies you just buy two more. Easy.

Nope. This is not an option, because I've no idea if I could ever get a 'Tiny Doll' again here in Sweden.

Originally Posted by jai_star

Don't cut it off and let it bloom if it has produced new growth then that means it has a lot of stored up energy to support the flower growth. I would suggest cutting it right down after this flush of flowering though. In the meantime keep up with the feeding and allow plenty of bright light and enjoy the blooms

Thanks, then I don't need to worry about my crazy little thing.

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

Grrrr.. pet peeve. Only orchid growers could possibly get worriied because their orchids are too healthy. Healthy mature orchid plants can't 'bloom themselves to death'. It just does not happen. If they are not strong enough to contimue blooming they will stop. Sometimes a too young or weak plant will attempt to bloom, and that might noy be a good idea, but it clearly does not apply to your plant.

What sometimes happens is that people stop caring for a plant in continuous bloom. They take it from the well lit window and put it in a dark corner because it looks good there. They think they can't repot it in bloom so they let the roots rot in old media gone bad. They get complacent and stop watching for problems. Then the plant goes downhill and they claim it bloomed itself to death because they can't admit they screwed up. Just keep giving it the excellent care you have clearly been giving it and enjoy.

Aha, so that's why it happens? I didn't know and was scared I might kill it if I let it keep blooming as it has. I would never dream of stop caring for it as I have, since it has been doing so well.

The spike stays.

[sthh]

So many flowers, and your plants look healthy. They must love your place.

[NYCorchidman]

You must have magic touch with phals, or they love Sweden!

By the way, your queen beer has the best flower display I've ever seen.
As much as I love the vibrant color, I've never bought one because the ones I see always have two spike with patchy flower attachment.
Maybe it's that particular clone. I should look for the same clone as you have.

Yes, orchids only get better as they age. I personally do not cut any flower spike on any orchids unless they naturally turn yellow and dry up, at which point, I simply just break off and throw away. very easy and sure this way.

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by sthh

So many flowers, and your plants look healthy. They must love your place.

At least these three do. I have over 50 Phals, but it's only these guys that are this happy. Oh, and the Phal schilleriana I sold recently. I hope my new schilleriana will be as happy as the former one was.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

You must have magic touch with phals, or they love Sweden!

By the way, your queen beer has the best flower display I've ever seen.
As much as I love the vibrant color, I've never bought one because the ones I see always have two spike with patchy flower attachment.
Maybe it's that particular clone. I should look for the same clone as you have.

Yes, orchids only get better as they age. I personally do not cut any flower spike on any orchids unless they naturally turn yellow and dry up, at which point, I simply just break off and throw away. very easy and sure this way.

To be honest, I believe they love Sweden. We've had a rather dreary summer, for us humans that is, but from a Phal point-of-view, it has been great with high humidity, lots of light but not too strong, and good temperatures.

When I bought my 'Tiny Doll' it had three spikes with a total of 48 flowers. This first re-bloom it has one spike, but with 47 flowers instead. It's like it goes for less spikes but with the same amount of flowers.
Although, imagine if I could get it to produce at least two spikes with 47 flowers each! That would be awesome...

I'm a baaaad Phal owner when it comes to cutting spikes. As soon as the last flower wilts, off it goes! I prefer the Phal to re-bloom from a new spike and rebuild energy in between the flowerings, in front of letting it keep the old spikes.

[NYCorchidman]

I must find that clone then. Floriferous and super long lasting!

All my phals grow and flower fine, but the flower counts always go down somewhat. like from 16 to 8.
I live in a brighter place now, so I'm yet to find out how this will affect their flowering coming spring.

Regarding cutting the spike, I just don't cut and let the plants do what they do. Some brown and dry up almost immediately after flowers wither while some last long after flowers are gone.

Now, I wonder if leaving the old spike on the plant affects the next flowering, like preventing the development of a new spike. hmmmm

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I must find that clone then. Floriferous and super long lasting!

All my phals grow and flower fine, but the flower counts always go down somewhat. like from 16 to 8.
I live in a brighter place now, so I'm yet to find out how this will affect their flowering coming spring.

Regarding cutting the spike, I just don't cut and let the plants do what they do. Some brown and dry up almost immediately after flowers wither while some last long after flowers are gone.

Now, I wonder if leaving the old spike on the plant affects the next flowering, like preventing the development of a new spike. hmmmm

That you should, Dtps. Queen Beer 'Tiny Doll' is what you should look for and I hope you find one. It puts the "f" in floriferous I think.

For me it seems that the spike count goes down, but the amount of flowers/spikes go up instead. I have another Phal., a Wiganiae that I purchased also in February (from the same flower shop) which had two spikes with a total of three branches (I never counted the flowers since the numbers were not as impressive as on my Tiny Doll). This guy is working on re-blooming now and so far its only spike has seven branches! I have no idea how many it'll have when it's done or how many flowers, but I really look forward to it.

[Mira-Claude]

I wouldn't worry either.
I have a dtps. Purple Martin that has been in bloom for over 2 years straight no break. 2 spike died (having reached over a foot and a half long on smallish plant) 2 more grew. She's been with pod trice.
Yet she grew so much at the roots I had to over pot her twice and she doubled the amount of her leaves.
The only time I was silly enough to try and 'give her a break'. She sulked her little heart out for 4 months. I actually thought I'd lose her then.
I think, to be happy, she needs to flower. I just love her more for that.
(sorry for the bit of story time)

[Momo]

I just love that Dtps.! You have some gorgeous babies!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Mira-Claude

I wouldn't worry either.
I have a dtps. Purple Martin that has been in bloom for over 2 years straight no break. 2 spike died (having reached over a foot and a half long on smallish plant) 2 more grew. She's been with pod trice.
Yet she grew so much at the roots I had to over pot her twice and she doubled the amount of her leaves.
The only time I was silly enough to try and 'give her a break'. She sulked her little heart out for 4 months. I actually thought I'd lose her then.
I think, to be happy, she needs to flower. I just love her more for that.
(sorry for the bit of story time)

I'll have to search for these little guys and have them for myself. Sounds wonderful!!!!

[LadySoren]

How do I know which Phals will bloom often or continuously? I want... (I'm still new to orchids)
The tiny doll and dtps purple Martin are known to do this? Or this is unusual?
So far I just have a couple Phals that send up one or two spikes and then are supposedly going to do it again a year-ish from now (so I hope, haven't had them long enough). Hoping to let them build up their roots after my newbie butchering and then maybe they'll bloom after I drop their temps next year.