Your opinion on cutting Phal spikes

[Shadow]

Is it important to cool down the cutting instrument? I used the hot one, straight from the flame and didn't notice anything bad after that.

[littlefrog]

Just to be contrary, I prefer to cut my spikes all the way back. This would be critical for any phal that looks even remotely distressed.

Of course I have a few hundred phals... It might be harder if I only had a few. But I think for the long term health of the plant and best blooming next spring, cutting them all the way back is the best way.

[KEGinMichigan]

I tend to cut the spike all the way back to the plant. I only have a few Phals out of an orchid collection of 200 give or take. I also do it for the same reason which Rob described. Honestly, the second blooming on a phal does nothing for me since you probably get only a few flowers out of the deal.

Kev

[Helen]

Thanks everyone...looks like I have a concensus!

Couple of unanswered questions though:
1.Is it true they might send out a new spike once the spike is cut off? Or, only one per year?
2.Where do the keiki's grow from exactly?

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by Helen

Thanks everyone...looks like I have a concensus!

Couple of unanswered questions though:
1.Is it true they might send out a new spike once the spike is cut off? Or, only one per year?
2.Where do the keiki's grow from exactly?

1. Phalaenopsis can have more than one spike per year. Particularly, if it is novelty type phalaenopsis. By the way, no one mentioned novelty phalaenopsises in this thread. You shouldn't cut spikes on these phalaenopsises.

2. From the buds, on the spike or stem.

[Helen]

Thanks for answering my questions Shadow...Okay, now you've got me going...what do you mean by Novelty phals? Or maybe I should start a new thread...

[Lagoon]

Yep me too, I cut them down to the last node. Phals can bloom for months anyways - why not save some of the plants energy towards the new spikes to come. And for many phals the growth of the leaves will stop or really slow down while the orchid is in bloom.

Phal specie spikes should be left on, since they can rebloom for even years to come, just allow these spikes to die back on they're own.
The keiki's can be very low or very high on the spike.

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by Helen

Thanks for answering my questions Shadow...Okay, now you've got me going...what do you mean by Novelty phals? Or maybe I should start a new thread...

It is so familiar - never ending questions..... I've visited your new thread already.