Question re:new phal spike and old spike

[modernmissus]

Hello all, I have question, I have had a phal that has been amazingly awesome!

It grew a spike that has been blooming for literally 2 years with minimal breaks. It kept growing new buds on the end of the original spike, and then when that finally stopped and I cut the spike to just above a node, it grew another stem off the original spike. This then continued to grow buds on the end of the spike as well! I've never had an orchid do this, I'm not sure why it kept growing new buds?

So when it recently seemed to have stopped again, I cut it back again to just above a node. Now I've noticed it is growing a new spike as well as another new growth off the original spike! This orchid hasn't had a rest in 2 years! Should I just enjoy this, or should I cut the old spike to give more energy to the new one?

Sorry for the long post! Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Tim P.]

Go right ahead and enjoy your orchid. It obviously wants to show some flowers or else it wouldnt have put out a new spike. Sounds like you have a wonderfully robust orchid!!!

[Danica]

Leave it as it is now! I had the same dilemma with Dendrobium phalaenopsis (i know, different plant, just telling what might happen). The plant flowered continuously four spikes, approx. 2 years. I thought, that wasn't healthy, better stop it. So i cut the 5th spike as it appeared. I did much wrong, as all of the leaves fell off and growth was inhibited for a year. Nothing happened, naked canes just stood there sulking. It is all right now, it grew new cane (and is flowering again, crazy plant
I'm quite sure that all this happened because I roughly stopped it. So, just relax and enjoy your orchid

[Paul Mc]

Perhaps you have a hybrid that was mixed with a sequential blooming phal - they do exist!!! It could be that this is what your particular hybrid wants to do. Can you tell us the name if had one - and if you know the parentage that would be good as well.