Sacrificed some flowers for new growth

[l1sav]

Hello all

I have a good size phal 'Diamond King' has 8 leaves and another one growing. 3 spikes and they all have lost a lot of the flowers apart from a few on each spike on the end. No more growth on the spikes for ages and getting ever so leggy so i decided to sacrifice the last remaining flowers on each spike and cut all three spikes down to the next available node.
Was that the right thing to do?? Thought maybe it would encourage some new flower growth off the spikes.

Thanks in advance.
Lisa x

[james mickelso]

There are some who let their phals reflower from spent spikes. But this can take a toll on the plants overall health. Make sure the plant is healthy enough to bloom again. The plant will rebloom regardless but be seriously depleted afterward. I let my phals rest after each flowering by cutting the spent spikes back completely, then let it grow new leaves and roots. I always get a fantastic bloom during the next cycle. It's your choice.

[l1sav]

Thanks James...
As you can see its in good health
Leaves lovely and healthy. The first picture is of when I first got the orchid.
I'm gonna keep an eye on it and see what happens. If it look like its getting tired i may just cut the spikes off.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[james mickelso]

Beautiful plant. Unfortunately the plant grows slowly and by the time you notice a diminution of the health of the plant it will be too late. Second blooming on old spikes give you less flowers and smaller ones too. That is not to say it can't be done. Just be mindful of the consequences to the plant. Phals store their energy in their roots and leaves. Flowering takes a lot of energy and when the stored starches/sugars have been used up, the plant will use the last of it's reserves to produce more flowers but can decline and die. Do you want a healthy long lived plant..... or more flowers? You can always just let this one recoup and get another that is in flower now. I have lots of phals so I can enjoy flowers for quite awhile. They're relatively inexpensive.

[l1sav]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Beautiful plant. Unfortunately the plant grows slowly and by the time you notice a diminution of the health of the plant it will be too late. Second blooming on old spikes give you less flowers and smaller ones too. That is not to say it can't be done. Just be mindful of the consequences to the plant. Phals store their energy in their roots and leaves. Flowering takes a lot of energy and when the stored starches/sugars have been used up, the plant will use the last of it's reserves to produce more flowers but can decline and die. Do you want a healthy long lived plant..... or more flowers? You can always just let this one recoup and get another that is in flower now. I have lots of phals so I can enjoy flowers for quite awhile. They're relatively inexpensive.

hhhmmmmmmm thats food for thought. I'm still learning about these beautiful orchids. Its just knowing what the right thing to do. And as you say you can soon get another one that is in full bloom. I definitely want to keep this one going. I paid a bit for this one from an orchid specialist here in the UK. The flowers are beautiful.
Thanks ever so much for you advice, I really appreciate it.

[james mickelso]

It looks to be a very healthy plant. I know you want it to bloom more. Unfortunately because they are so slow in growing by the time you see it decline, it is too late. It could even be in decline now and you wouldn't know it. I have had beautiful phals full of flowers and yet on inspection there were no roots left. Orchids have roots that unlike other type plants don't require them to be under ground. The plant can lose it's roots and still flower. Say you do get the old flower spikes to rebloom, and I have many times, the flowers you get will be smaller and less numerous. Better to let it recoup and enjoy another show such as this one. Remember that this show was produced in a greenhouse where the plant was forced to produce this show. It took a lot out of the plant to bloom like this. Let it rest and watch the next show.

[DweamGoiL]

I agree with James. I had 2 Phals this year; one mini and one standard size. Because I am a newbie, I made a lot of mistakes and found I had to sacrifice the last of the flowers the spikes. I decided to cut the spikes back completely to let the plants rest. I have noticed since I did that each has grown a new leaf and the root system has improved substantially.

I think I made the right decision

[RosieC]

I agree with James on this one. The only time I've gone for cutting the spike back to a node to get more flowers was when a flower spike broke and it naturally started getting a side spike just below the break before I cut back the broken bit.

That only gave two flowers on the side spike but I enjoyed them and then cut the spike right back down.

Generally I either leave an old spike uncut to see if it wants to produce a new side spike of it's own accord, or I cut the spike right down to the bottom. The 'wait and see' method (as Ray calls it on his website) means that it will only put out a side spike if it has the strength. Cutting it near a node can force it even when it doesn't have the strength.

[l1sav]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I agree with James on this one. The only time I've gone for cutting the spike back to a node to get more flowers was when a flower spike broke and it naturally started getting a side spike just below the break before I cut back the broken bit.

That only gave two flowers on the side spike but I enjoyed them and then cut the spike right back down.

Generally I either leave an old spike uncut to see if it wants to produce a new side spike of it's own accord, or I cut the spike right down to the bottom. The 'wait and see' method (as Ray calls it on his website) means that it will only put out a side spike if it has the strength. Cutting it near a node can force it even when it doesn't have the strength.

Thanks for all your advice, its invaluable
I have now cut the spikes right down. Will rest the orchid now and wait see what happens.