Phal rebloom explanation needed

[KrissieLynn]

I bought a phal from the clearance rack at Lowe's back in February. It surprisingly was still in bloom, and those flowers have not faded yet. About a month ago, at the end of both spikes I noticed new growth, and a couple days ago, a new bud opened. The flower is about a half inch larger than the ones already on the phal and the colors are deeper and richer.

I'm new to orchids, and have done some research, but have yet to come across anything written to explain this. Can some one explain what this means? Is it normal? Does it mean I have good growing conditions?

Thanks a bunch!

[butterfly_muse]

I'd say it means your plant is happy! Obviously you're doing something right.

[WhiteRabbit]

Some Phals can continue to develop new buds on an existing spike for quite some time.

[NYCorchidman]

It is quite normal and common actually.

There are phals that keep on adding more buds, but only keep about a few at a time.

I assume the one you have is the common large (or perhaps mid sized) flowering hybrid.
Many will dry up their old spent spikes, or branch out anytime from right after the main bloom or even a few months later.
Then there are some that will just continue to add more buds while still in bloom.
It depends on what plants are in its background and then also affected by environmental cues.

[KrissieLynn]

Thanks all for your answers! I was excited when I saw it growing, and even more excited when the bloom opened with such rich colors.

Only problem is I've been waiting for it to STOP blooming so I could free up its roots from the mass of moss it came in. Would it be safe to assume the roots deep in the moss are at least halfway decent if it is continuing to grow and bloom?

[RosieC]

Yes, it happens sometimes and is quite normal. Deeper colours say to me it's happy.

[silken]

Your old blooms may be slowly fading too and the new one looks richer beside them. And it may have been bloomed at different temperatures and higher light where it came from which can affect colour. It must be happy or it wouldn't want to bloom again.

[NYCorchidman]

At least color in the red and magenta range tends to intensify when bloomed under cooler temperature and very bright condition.

Roots in moss...I hear your concern.
Once you see how tightly the stuff is packed in, and often some roots are suffocated to death being stuck in there, each time you buy a phal potted in moss, it worries you.

I think it's best to repot it to at least "relax" the moss a little at the least.
I normally repot when florwers are all gone mainly because I don't want to take a chance on damaging any flowers.
Now, I can also get really lazy or forgetful and do not repot phals in moss for a long time. somtimes too long. I have never killed any!

The key is a very careful watering to minimize the root death.
I have about 10 phals in moss. Some were bought over a year ago ( I know, I'm terrible sometiems) and some are pretty recent purchase, about three months ago.
The ones I haven't repotted over such a long time is because they keep flowering. so I just left them alone. These are also in clay pots, so I think it at least "breathe" better. All the phals I buy from a farmer's market come this way, potted in moss in clay pots.

Now, other phals bought in mostly grocery markets come in this very thin clear plastic pot slid in decorative ceramic container.
These are the ones whose roots look quite bad.
All are pushing new leaves and roots at the moment and I am thinking of ordering some pots and potting mix online over the weekend before another year passes by again.

Now, I'm just sharing my experience and not recommned leaving phals in super tight moss.
just saying they still go on and live under "strict watering"