Can I cut spikes with failing blooms?

[jen.kirsten]

Hey guys, quick question, my big phal has started to drop flowers (been in bloom since late Septmeber!!) and it's down to about 7 pretty sad looking blooms. They are drying up and getting wrinkly. Is it better to let the blooms fall off and the spike dry out before I cut the spike or can I just go ahead and cut the spikes off and re-pot the plant? Thank you!!

[ronaldhanko]

It doesn't matter when you cut it, either before or after the blooms finish. Just make sure you cut it with a sterilized tool, and you should remember that many Phals will make side spikes from the nodes in the original spike and for that reason you may not want to cut it

[jen.kirsten]

Thanks! I cut the spikes today but left about 1/2 inch above the 2nd node to see if I get a secondary spike

[james mickelso]

Secondary spikes may be nice but only if the plant is very healthy. If the plant has only a couple leaves it may be beneficial to cut the spikes all the way to their base and let the plant regain some vigor before it flowers again. This would be growing new leaves and roots and then letting it flower when it is ready. If the plant has plenty of vigor already like new leaves and roots, then side spikes might be ok. But remember that they will most likely not be as floriferous. Won't have nearly as many flowers and after that flowerring will decline for a lot longer period of time. Your choice.

[jen.kirsten]

This is my healthiest plant and it has a lot of leaves including a new leaf growing and was starting to show some new root growth as well. It had two spikes so I cut one to the base and left one with a couple of nodes as an experiment. Can't wait to see what happens

[cythaenopsis]

I've found the decision varies depending upon the plant.

In my experience, not cutting back a spike can result in an extremely long one. This means it takes a lot longer for nutrients to travel to the outer spike branches and flowers that eventually bloom. You have to have really great growing conditions for facilitating this. If you live in a relatively harsh climate and are challenged with maintaining good temperatures and humidity, it's probably not a good idea to let orchid spikes remain lengthy after blooming. When I tried letting one phal continue on without any cutting back, I ended up with a problem plant that had a crummy blooming cycle with many bud blasts.

Anyway, if it looks like most of the blooms have had it, cutting back a little early won't do any harm IMHO. As Ron said, make sure you use sterilized cutting tools. As for the cutting length, usually two nodes up from the base is about right. But depending on how long the main spike is and its shape, you'll have to take your own stab at where to cut it.

[NYCorchidman]

I do not cut any spent spikes unless they turn brown and dry up on their own. or if they poke into my eyes often when I walk by them and this does happen to me! lol

I also cut the type whose spikes continue to elongate forever! At some point, they look ugly to me, so I'd rather have a new one instead of old dangly spike with a few blooms at the tip.

With the more standard type of phals, I find cutting at certain length does not necessarilly stilmulate reblooming.
You want to let the plant to decide. Branching may occur at any node below the node where the first flower were made. You can see these little swelling. Then you can cut off whatever's beyond that point.

I am currently enjoying about 4 phals that are reblooming from the old spikes.

I love to have flowers around and I like to get the most out of my bang, so it's great for me!
I find that some hybrids never rebloom, and not always but usually these are the ones that terminate their spikes by browning as soon as all the flowers fade.

Gotta love phals!