Phal. Cornutris 'KF' AM/AOS spike

[ginnibug]

Ok so this phal is a equestris x cornu-cervi. It's an adorable little tiny yellow multi, the flower is just so cute.My question is the flower spike; this thing really looks like one of the spikes that you don't want to cut off? Does anybody else have one of these or know something about it? When I got this little thing it was suffering and truly I would like to cut the spike so this guy can rebuild and grow some more leaves. It has gotten a lot better since it's been in my care but it still needs to grow more leaves. Just asking for opinions? Thanks Ginnibug

[jrodpad]

Can't help ginni - but I'd love to see pics if you have them.

-J

[msaar]

Both of the parent species have persistent inflorescences; the inflorescences are not likely to grow until blooming season, and until they are trying to grow, they are not likely draw any strength from the plant. The most beneficial time to have cut the inflorescences would have been when blooming. You don't really give enough objective information to judge the condition of the plant. By the way, the correct name is Phal. Cornustris 'KF #1' AM/AOS

[tucker85]

Phalaenopsis cornustris is a cross between P. equestris and P. cornu-cervi. P. Equetris do not bloom on that same stem the following season. P. Cornu-cervi do bloom on old stems in the next season. The flower spikes on cornu-cervi should not be cut off when it's finished blooming. Of course that would not necessarily mean that this cross will do the same. It could get it's blooming habits from equestris or cornu-cervi. The only way to know for sure is to leave the stem in place until next season. I have done that many times and it's a sure way to get an answer.

[ginnibug]

Jrodpad I'd throw a picture up there for you to see, if I had one but I don't; and the plant doesn't have a flower on it right now, sorry.
This had a tag in it from the grower, I wonder why he has it mislabeled? I'll correct it on the tag.
My tip off for the blooming habit=it has 16 spots where it has already bloomed, sequentially. I have had it since Nov. and it has produced 5 flowers while I've had it, all one at a time. It does look like it wants to send out another bud again. I'll just wait and see. It's an cute little pure butter yellow flower no bigger than a quarter.I'm glad I retrieved it. It came from a society member that had decided he didn't want to grow orchids anymore.ginnibug

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Ok, so while not all do all the time, some equestris will bloom of old inflorescenses, and as stated, cornu-cervi will. Unless the plant is in terrible shape with little roots, I would leave it be. While removing its inflorescence will most likely make it focus on vegitative growth, it may just as well throw out another inflorescense shortly afterwards. Especially now that it isn't in active growth, removing it wouldn't really do much, compared to if it were removed during active growth.

[tucker85]

I did a little more research and according to "Moth Orchids" by Steven Frowine, both P. equestris and P. cornu-cervi can rebloom on old flower stems next year. Most of the small sequential bloomers do that. The book says not to cut off the old spikes from either species.

[Tindomul]

moving this to the hybrids section.

[msaar]

One more piece of information: although for you in its present condition this plant bloomed more or less sequentially, it has the potential to generate many flowers concurrently. When awarded its AM, the plant had 61 flowers and 52 buds on 2 inflorescences.

[Shirley]

Originally Posted by msaar

One more piece of information: although for you in its present condition this plant bloomed more or less sequentially, it has the potential to generate many flowers concurrently. When awarded its AM, the plant had 61 flowers and 52 buds on 2 inflorescences.

WOW! I'd love to see that picture!