Do you cut spikes on paphs?

[Dendy83]

Hello all,

I tried doing a forum search for this but nothing really came up. My bloom on my paph just fell off and I'm wondering if I cut the spike or leave this one be?

Thanks for your advice.

[DweamGoiL]

I have read that you just let them dry on their own and snap them once they are crunchy.

[jeremyinsf]

"If it's green - don't be mean! If it's brown - cut it down".

I like to watch them get crunchy. It reminds me of the flower that I (and the plant!) grew there before. I cut it down when a new one starts on another growth.

[Dendy83]

hahaha I love that saying!

The reason I asked was this is a new paph and I'm sure he's still stressed out and getting used to the new environment. I am a spike cutter on my phals to encourage the energy to go toward root/leaf growth once the blooms are done and I wasn't sure if it worked the same way with paphs.

However, I will definitely remember that motto!

[jeremyinsf]

I love it too and it's what I usually follow!

I have cut them down before (including with flowers on them) when I want ALL the energy to be on the plant and not on the spike/flower. It's really up to you, and I've seen some people feel really strongly about it both ways :-) You know how it goes, I'm sure! If it were a new plant to me, and I didn't grow it, I'd cut it. But do whatever you are comfortable with!

[RJSquirrel]

If its a single blooming paph then cut it at will after it blooms as it will not bloom again.
If its a sequential blooming paph it should have more buds on the spike. If not its done and cut it.
If its multi-floral paph and done blooming, cut it as it will not bloom again.

Paph spikes do not make babies or will they bud again once they have done their job.