Phal Mariae spike!

[ilikeorchids]

I bought this phal probably last 1 or 2 months(the one that is 2$ or P75 here in the phil.) and is now growing a spike! I have read in some forums that you must not cut these flower spikes after they have done blooming because they can produce 1-3 keikis or produce more flowers at the end of the spike thus giving me another keiki/s because this one has 4 spike-keikis and a basal keiki...so many but still worth it...

[Bulbofett]

Such a healthy looking phal, congrats!

[lotis146]

I was thinking the same thing (about it looking so healthy)! Good job!

[james mickelso]

The roots look very healthy but there aren't many leaves. The leaves are where the phal stores most of it's energy (starches and sugars) it will use to produce more leaves and then flowers. Letting this phal flower off the old spike, which on my monitor shows only 4 leaves, might deteriorate the plant too much. Better to let it grow a few more leaves before allowing it to expend it's small amount of reserves on more flowers. If it grows a keiki, that is awesome. But let it grow more leaves before allowing any more flowers or spikes off the old spike.

[ilikeorchids]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

The roots look very healthy but there aren't many leaves. The leaves are where the phal stores most of it's energy (starches and sugars) it will use to produce more leaves and then flowers. Letting this phal flower off the old spike, which on my monitor shows only 4 leaves, might deteriorate the plant too much. Better to let it grow a few more leaves before allowing it to expend it's small amount of reserves on more flowers. If it grows a keiki, that is awesome. But let it grow more leaves before allowing any more flowers or spikes off the old spike.

Hi james this is a pure species phal mariae and it is likely to produce many keikis and at the same time flower spikes.and yes it has 4 leaves but it is normal because when i bought this it has 6 leaves and 2 leaves are already dying thats why i chopped it off. I too got worried because this is not normal. Its draining its energy for 5 keikis and another flower spike plus a 4th leaf but when i did some research, this is it's habit and some growers here don't even cut these keikis they just let it grow produce a keiki of it self and flower and produce another keiki like this one

[james mickelso]

Yes, I would let it grow keikis all day long. But I would not let it reflower from the old spike. It takes a lot of energy to throw spikes and that might stress the plant too much. I always let the plant grow roots and leaves before letting it flower again from the old spike. In your picture it just looks like it needs a rest. Is this plant native to PI? I know there are native phals in PI. I may come to PI for a vacation next year. I'd love to see some growers when I get there. Take good care of this plant. I like the specie phals.