Cutting vs not cutting flower spikes

[RandomGemini]

I follow an apparently old adage that I learned here on the Orchid Board:

"IF it's brown, cut it down. If it's green, don't be mean." I do not cut spikes, as a general rule, until the spike turns brown on its own. There are times when I will cut spikes, like if I think that it's in the best interests of the long term health of the plant that it conserve energy for root and leaf growth, then I will cut a spike once the buds have opened and put it in some water.

[lotis146]

I've also heard that here RandomGemini. So I leave spikes as well. However I am more likely to cut even a green spike if I need the room the plant is taking in a spot that will fit a taller plant. Without their spikes Phals can go on lower shelves so I do what I must.

[Paul]

Some will cut the old spikes of the non-sequential bloomers for a tidier look to the plant as a whole. Reblooms off an old spike often do not produce the graceful cascades of a new spike.

[bil]

So is the general opinion that it is better to cut the old spikes off even if they are green, in order to get better spikes?

[NYCorchidman]

Nope, that is not true.
I don't cut anything off unless they turn brown and die off on their own.
The ones that stay green makes flowers again.
I have not found this hinder the flowering on the new spike(s).

[snowflake311]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Nope, that is not true.
I don't cut anything off unless they turn brown and die off on their own.
The ones that stay green makes flowers again.
I have not found this hinder the flowering on the new spike(s).

Really? I never heard that cutting a spike will effect the news spikes flower growth. I have never tried that so I can't say. I did however cut a green spike all the way down on my 2 new one. I figured it needed time to focus on growing more then just flowers. One of then sent out a new spike within a month of being cut. I feel like every orchid is differant. These are so many hybrids and each one might grow a little different.

I was also under the impression that if left uncut the old spike only blooms a few flowers not as many as the first time it bloomed. Is that true?

I have a few spikes in bloom and will not cut them if the stay green.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, some people here say leaving an old spike on will affect (negatively) the natural flowering in the following season.
With that said, cutting old spikes do not harm the plants. I just don't cut anything that's green and alive. and I get more flowers.

The one you cut the old spikes of and then grew a whole new spike within a month from cutting off the old spikes, may I ask what season it was and what type of phal it was?

I think unless otherwise specified what phal it is, people generally mean the common hybrid, not the sequential blooming type or some other special species.

You are correct that the reblooms from the old spikes will not be as glorious as the initial blooms, but you still get some flowers.

You are also right in that plants can behave differently. mostly it's in the genes and certain hybrids will be better bloomer than others.
My Mount Lip, which was a supper bloomer, always double spikes in addition to making just about as many flowers on the old spikes.
So, leave them old spikes on and see what happens with your plants. You can always make new decisions later.

[snowflake311]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Well, some people here say leaving an old spike on will affect (negatively) the natural flowering in the following season.
With that said, cutting old spikes do not harm the plants. I just don't cut anything that's green and alive. and I get more flowers.

The one you cut the old spikes of and then grew a whole new spike within a month from cutting off the old spikes, may I ask what season it was and what type of phal it was?

I think unless otherwise specified what phal it is, people generally mean the common hybrid, not the sequential blooming type or some other special species.

You are correct that the reblooms from the old spikes will not be as glorious as the initial blooms, but you still get some flowers.

You are also right in that plants can behave differently. mostly it's in the genes and certain hybrids will be better bloomer than others.
My Mount Lip, which was a supper bloomer, always double spikes in addition to making just about as many flowers on the old spikes.
So, leave them old spikes on and see what happens with your plants. You can always make new decisions later.

Not a full shot of my amazing Phal. but you can see the flowers. This plants was amazing when I bought it for $3.00 at the Grocery Outlet. I have no Clue what hybrid it is but I love it and want to Clone it.


I bought it in April 25th and it still had a few flowers left to open. I cut the spike off before all blooms fell September 11. By Oct,2 I had a 2 inch spike. I think this plant is just a freak. My other Phals take longer to spike.

My plain white Phal my oldest one. I cut the spike back to the node and that spike branched off 2 branches and I have a new spike from the bottom. I think that is exciting.

Next time I will keep the spikes and see how it goes.

[NYCorchidman]

That is soooooo pretty!!! and you got that for $3?
What a great find!

I mean even at my TJ, mini phals are $5.99.

So these phals basically behave the same way. Yours came with flowers and it made a new spike because it was in season I guess.

There was once a thread of someone's white phal (but not the common large white flowering type) in bloom with five spikes I think. That was just crazy!!!

Generally, these common phals spike in the fall, any time in the fall into winter. So there is a long wait in between flowering.

When I buy phals in bloom in the summer, some of them make a brand new spike right after the summer flowers fade.
Then, then there was one I bought in bloom in early spring. All the flowers fell off by late spring, but the end of that very spike elongated and made some more flowers during the summer. This was very odd to me because it was a large white with red lip.

[snowflake311]

I love that Phal of mine it branches out and is full of blooms looks like I have 2 maybe 3 branches developing now.

I think you are right. It could have been that I bought it at the right time of season and that's why it bloomed so quick for me. Never thought of that.

Side note:
If you have a Grocery outlet (I think it's a west Coast thing) near you check them out. The ones near us get orchids for really cheap. Most of the time its just Phals. But I did find my miltonia orchid after it bloomed for $4.00. I have no clue what the flowers will looks like. but thats the fun.