Does a phal in spike need special treatment?

[etcherkate]

I've finally convinced two of my phals to grow new spikes. I wonder if I should give them any special treatment as the spikes grow?

One is potted in a mix of bark, perlite and spaghnum moss; the other is in bark with a little moss. I water every 6 to 8 days and fertilize three out of every four weeks.

I'm also not quite sure when and where I should stake the new spike.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[charlesf6]

Can u post a pic? Maybe a couple more posts will allow that to happen.

[fishmom]

Hello, etcherkate, and welcome!

Since two of your phals have spiked under the regimen that you described, it seems that they are happy and growing well. I personally don't change my care when one of my plants spikes, I just try to provide the best, most regular, care that I can.

Staking is more a matter of personal preference. I don't have a lot of room, so when I have a spike I usually try to train it to grow more upright than horizontal. For phals, I stake the spike as it develops (gently, they are tender) and stop when the buds are clearly visible, which lets the blooms arch out nicely. Don't rotate the plant, you will get a twisted or kinky spike stem as it tries to follow the light.

[etcherkate]

Sure! Here are a couple of photos. In the future, I'd like to have my potting media more consistent across the board. I suspect the plant on the right would like to be watered more frequently because it's mostly bark. It's a pretty puny plant; I'm surprised it's spiking this winter.

[etcherkate]

Thanks for the advice, Fishmom! I'm also pretty limited on space. It seems like most growers prefer the look of a tall, arching spray of flowers, but my plants won't fit on their shelving unit if they're too tall.

I can't believe it took me three years to convince a phal to spike! It took me a while to realize that plants have priority over furniture when I'm arranging my living space. These poor plants were clinging to life in a North window for a long time.

[Tindomul]

Don't change a thing. And congrats.

[bil]

I like coarse bark that I sieve to take out all small stuff. I water them once a week in winter, and 3x a week in summer.
If you must add small stuff, please ensure that the easy passage of air thu the medium is never compromised or you could end up suffocating the roots.

[estación seca]

By the way, etcherkate, welcome to the orchid board! Nice etching of the Paph!

[etcherkate]

Thanks, estacion seca! My biggest art expense lately has been plants! I would gladly redraw the same flower once a year if I could convince it to rebloom.

[estación seca]

You will.