Short flower spikes on Phalaenopsis

[dch53]

Hi.

I have a Phalaenopsis that I repotted after it finished flowering a couple of years ago. It was originally a gift.

It has done fine regularly producing new leaves. The pot was probably too big as it only started putting up 2 flower spikes 2 or 3 months ago.

On the tallest of the 2 spikes flowers are just starting to open.

The 2 flower spikes are only half as tall as the original single spike.

Can anyone tell me what I might have done wrong please?

Thanks.

[NatalieS]

If this is the first time you're blooming it yourself, and the orchid was perhaps store-bought, then remember that these store-bought orchids are grown under very controlled conditions to produce impressive displays. Sometimes they are even 'forced', using up a load of their resources, and then end up recoverying for a year or two.

If your plant is producing two flower spikes, then I wouldn't say you've done anything wrong at all! A picture would help, ofc, but I'm guessing you're not allowed to post one yet as a new member - so welcome!

[camille1585]

Welcome to Orchidboard!

Natalie gave you a good answer. Another thing to consider is your growing conditions. How much light is it getting for instance? A couple years ago I discovered that high light will have a pretty major effect on spikes. The spikes themelves were shorter, and the distance between buds as well. I was growing them under led lights for the first time in the winter, and that's how I discovered that I was giving them a bit too much, even though the plants showed no other signs of excess light.

[tmoney]

howdy! its possible that it will continue to bloom and extend for awhile. for our oldest noids, they finish about 2x as long as they were with the original flush of blooms...ok, maybe another 1/3 as long!

but, as mentioned, the pro nurseries can sort of trick the spikes to grow longer by really controlling conditions and times and such. but yea, if you got 2 spikes then you must be doing something right!!!

also, pics or it didn't happen.... and welcome to the OB!!!

[dch53]

Thanks very much for the replies. Here's a picture.

[tmoney]

looks good!

to give you some more insight, one of our first goals was to get a phal to rebloom, and now one of our goals is to get them to rebloom like a nursery! it aint easy, but it can be done...

for now just enjoy the blooms and hope that it continues to extend and flower past this first flush

[dch53]

Thanks. My first goal was just to get one to grow new leaves!

[Dimples]

I remember reading an article that discussed the effects of a hormone/topical treatment commercial growers can use to cause the spike of a phal to extend in length. There was a picture that illustrated the results of applying it at different stages of spike formation. Maybe your plant was wearing chemical high-heels when you met?

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by dch53

Thanks. My first goal was just to get one to grow new leaves!

hahah, yeah, us too! and one of other current goals is just to get them to grow the NEXT leaf

[estación seca]

Welcome!