Can a 1-spike phal become a 2- or 3- spike phal?

[phalaholic]

Hello all,

Having lurked for a while and learned a lot, I have now joined the forum. I was given a rather delightful deep red mini phal as a house-warming present about eighteen months ago, but it was not until early this year, while browsing in a garden centre, that I was really struck by the beauty of the large-flowered hybrids. I bought three, and now have 24! They are all Noids which, as a former nurseryman, rankled with me for a while, but, of course, their namelessness in no way diminishes their beauty. Every windowsill in the house is now almost full, although I could possibly cram a few more minis in some of the gaps!

Anyway, here's my question: Is a phal bought with one spike destined to always be a one-spiker, or could it throw up more?

I'm guessing that to do so it would be necessary to remove the spike after flowering rather than cutting it back to a node to see if it will re-flower, and then to look after it well to build it up for further flowering. Apparently commercially grown phals are given really warm conditions which have the dual effects of boosting its growth and at the same time inhibiting flower initiation. The temperatures required, though, are probably much higher than would be reasonable in a home setting. That being the case would removal of flower spikes when they appear for a while allow for sufficient growth for additional spikes to develop?

I did read that some phals are genetically programmed to produce a set number of spikes at one time, so that could be another factor.

Then again, I'm wondering if it's more likely, in a home environment, for 2- or 3-spikers to become 1-spikers.

What has been your experience?

Nigel

[Mira-Claude]

Most phals can throw more than one spike given the right condition if they are in good enough health.

As for cutting spikes, we all have different things to say. But personally I never cut back a spike. Most of my phals are sequential bloomers so they will keep on flowering on the same spike. And also because cutting back force flowering again some times. Flowers takes a lot out of a plant, so I am always scared to drain my orchid's energy reserve and set them back. Also cutting in live part always brings a risk of infection in the plant.

But this is me.

[tucker85]

It's possible for a phal with one spike to produce two spikes in subsequent blooming seasons. Unfortunately the opposite is also true that a plant you buy with two spikes may produce only one next year. As plants get larger, and more mature, there's always the chance that they will have enough extra energy to produce more spikes. Some mature phals will also produce basal keikies. I always leave these on the plant and eventually you can get spikes from both the mother plant and the keikies. They tend to bloom together.

One other possibility, some phals, but not most, rebloom on old flower spikes for several years. Those phals can also send up new spikes each year so that eventually you can have several blooming flower spikes on a single plant. Some of these phals can put on quite a show. Most phals don't rebloom each year but it's a good idea to find out if your's do or not.

[Wynn Dee13]

If your Phals are NOIDS you bought in the grocery store or Home Depot or something they probably are not sequential bloomers but I guess there could be a possibility. If the spikes turn brown after blooming they probably aren't. I always cut my spikes completely off on the non sequential bloomers because I like my plants to grow more leaves and save up energy for the next blooming. I find they bloom with more flowers that are bigger than if you cut at a node and let it branch and bloom again. But everyone has there own preference.

[lostonthebeach]

"Noids. Their namelessness in no way diminishes their beauty'"

Couldn't agree more. Enjoy their loveliness.

[camille1585]

Yes, they can have more than 1 spike. Genetics is a factor as well, some will rarely have more than 1 spike, while others will always have several.
I never cut spikes back down to a node to rebloom, I prefer to let the plant do its thing. In general though, Phals that I get multiple spikes with have been in my collection for a few years already, so they got nice and strong.

[Susie11]

Hi Phalaholic and welcome to OB. I have eight phals and I bought most of them last year, many had two or more spikes last year but they have bloomed for me again this year although they each have only one spike -which is fine. I don't let them rebloom off of the old spike either as I want the next spike to produce big flowers and I have found over the years that when they have a spike already the new one seems to have smaller flowers and a lot less. Everyone is different though so what works for me might not work for you. Good luck and enjoy your phals, they are addictive aren't they?

[phalaholic]

Thank you all for your comments. Very enlightening.

I was fascinated to see photos of an eight-spike phal on another thread:
www.orchidboard.com/community/hybrids/59810-how-can-i-make-bloom-like-again.html
Now there's goal to aim for!

Thought I'd add a photo of one of my favourites.

[camille1585]

That's a beautiful Phal!! I love everything about it, the pink lip, the white center, and the stripes are a great touch.

[Susie11]

Very pretty phal.