How Long for a Phal Spike to Mature?

[Mountaineer370]

I've got a standard-sized NoID Phal. that has decided to give me a spike. I got this plant in June 2015, and it was in bloom. It spiked again in February 2016, but the spike was stunted and twisted like a pretzel and never reached any length. Amazingly, it did produce three flowers, but it sure looked funny with the flowers just barely above pot rim level.

Now, after about a 15-month rest, I've noticed a new spike, but I'm concerned because that was about three weeks ago, and the spike is still only about 3/4 inch long. The last time it bloomed, even with the deformed spike, it was only about a month from first noticing it to having flowers bloom.

Is there a typical range of time that a Phal. spike should take to mature?

[jkofferdahl]

Generalizing, about 3 months. However, these are Phals, which means that they're allowed to take longer.

[Mountaineer370]

Well, that's a relief, then. It sounds like this little spike is progressing at a perfectly normal rate. Thanks!

[jkofferdahl]

With Phals, unless you see signs of distress it's safe to presume that they're OK. Typically, from the time you see the first sign of a spike until you get a flower is about 3 months, as I mentioned.

Quite often, grocery and big-box stores sell Phals which have been pushed by the grower to bloom when they want it to, rather than when the plant wants to. I'm guessing that's why yours was out of bloom for 15 months before spiking again, as they're often set back after being pushed. I'd expect it to bloom annually, and about the same time each year, give or take a month or so.

I've seen Phals initiate spikes and those spikes grow a bit and then stall, sit idle for months, and then re-initiate growth. Others seem in such a hurry to flower that the spikes seeming shoot up overnight. Phals are going to do what they want when they want, but will greatly reward your patient care.

[Mountaineer370]

No signs of distress so far, thankfully. The Phal in question is definitely of the mass-produced variety, so it's probably just taking its time settling into a more quiet and unrushed lifestyle! I have another hybrid that was bought at an orchid show, in bloom, a little over a year ago. I'm hoping that one will think about spiking sometime soon.

Yep, it's been said often on this board that orchids are all about patience! I'm still in the "learning to accept that" phase of the hobby!

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

Yep, it's been said often on this board that orchids are all about patience! I'm still in the "learning to accept that" phase of the hobby!

I've been trying for decades. Patience is no easier with age, but we naturally slow down and the plants catch up.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

I've been trying for decades. Patience is no easier with age, but we naturally slow down and the plants catch up.

Ah, good to know! I believe we are of approximately the same vintage, so I am all too familiar with the slowing down with age part, and also still working on cultivating patience in all aspects of life.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

Ah, good to know! I believe we are of approximately the same vintage, so I am all too familiar with the slowing down with age part, and also still working on cultivating patience in all aspects of life.

They call me mellow yellow. Quite rightly.

[Mountaineer370]

I wonder how long that song will be stuck in my head now?!?!