Encourage branching on Phal.?

[CA2FLxplant]

So this may be a really stupid question, but I was wondering, if you were to pull back the little sheath (?) over the nodes on the stem when a Phal is spiking, would that encourage branching on the stem/spike?

I might have too much time on my hands to be thinking up this stuff!

[No-Pro-mwa]

I don't think so. I think they will either branch or not. Sometimes some of mine look like there going to start then don't. I am wondering if that means I let it dry to much or something like that. The plant is not getting every little old thing it needs.

[CA2FLxplant]

Thank you, Shannon.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by CA2FLxplant

So this may be a really stupid question, but I was wondering, if you were to pull back the little sheath (?) over the nodes on the stem when a Phal is spiking, would that encourage branching on the stem/spike?

I might have too much time on my hands to be thinking up this stuff!

... funny! I have spent a great deal of time thinking about my Phal and spikes. First... should I cut it back or not? Then so many different opinions. I guess I listened to the one that said "if they are green and not drying, don't cut". Now 2 of my spikes developed off-shoots and they have little buds. I was looking at some of the other nodes and they look slightly bigger, wondering if maybe they are going to "do something". So I am just letting nature take it's course and my plant is doing it's own thing. I guess that is why I like orchids in the first place...they are interesting and make you think and ponder about them. Here is a picture of one of my new buds.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Well one never knows. Do what you think is best and who knows it may be right.

[snowflake311]

I have a white Phal That looks to be doing this for me. I cut the spike down before it had dropped all the blooms. I need to get a photo to explain it. But Now I have 2 growths comming from the cut spike and I have a new spike growing from the base of the plant. It should be a good show for this Phal that I almost killed. I think she is telling me thanks for not giving up on me. hahaha I have had this plant for almost 5 years. This is the first time I had this much flower action on it.


So for me I think you can get branching when you cut a flower spike back . It could just be luck on my part.

[Ray]

"Branching" and the formation of "secondary spikes" are entirely different.

Branching is genetic; some species favor it, others don't. If your plant has those genes, and it has the proper energy stores, it may branch.

Cutting a spike distresses the plant, so it may grow a secondary spike as a last-ditch effort to reproduce and carry on its gene pool. If it doesn't have the energy stores necessary to support that, it may grow keikies instead, thereby forming increased capacity to rebuild those stores, and providing genetic "backups" in case the mother plant sustains more damage.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Ray

"Branching" and the formation of "secondary spikes" are entirely different.

Branching is genetic; some species favor it, others don't. If your plant has those genes, and it has the proper energy stores, it may branch.

Cutting a spike distresses the plant, so it may grow a secondary spike as a last-ditch effort to reproduce and carry on its gene pool. If it doesn't have the energy stores necessary to support that, it may grow keikies instead, thereby forming increased capacity to rebuild those stores, and providing genetic "backups" in case the mother plant sustains more damage.

Thank you. Who knew my "Mother's Day" noid Phal was a brancher. Again that is what is so interesting about Orchids. Always something new to learn! The spikes are very long and I always have to watch out how I moved the plant but I am so glad I didn't cut them.


I was thinking some more about this and the Phal that is now branching out on 2 straight stems is very large and did not seem to branch before. Then here is another Phal with the obvious branches...

[CA2FLxplant]

Originally Posted by Ray

"Branching" and the formation of "secondary spikes" are entirely different.

Branching is genetic; some species favor it, others don't. If your plant has those genes, and it has the proper energy stores, it may branch.

Cutting a spike distresses the plant, so it may grow a secondary spike as a last-ditch effort to reproduce and carry on its gene pool. If it doesn't have the energy stores necessary to support that, it may grow keikies instead, thereby forming increased capacity to rebuild those stores, and providing genetic "backups" in case the mother plant sustains more damage.

My question was actually in reference to branching of original growth and not cutting a spike with resultant secondary spiking.

So even if I were to experiment with it, I may never know if what I did promoted branching or not. I may drive myself nuts if I don't try it! LOL.

Thank you all.

[gngrhill]

go for it ! Nothing ventured , nothing gained