Phal season again! :)

[tucker85]

They're all beautiful! Good growing.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by tryingtoflower

Very nice. Would you explain what you mean by "cut a little bit each year"? Do you mean after it blooms for a second flowering? Thanks.

Yes. I rarely cut away the old spikes. I only cut them down if they poke me in the eye (I'm serious I almost lost my eye before. now I bend down very slowly around my pals) or turn brown on their own.

I would cut the spike right under where the first (the oldest one) flower was attached.

The original two spikes came with 12 flowers on each spike. Once flowers were gone, I cut the spikes as I normally do. They both made branching spikes and made about 6 flowers on each spike within 6 months after cutting. I think that was last winter or so.

Then I cut the both spikes again. Now they are baring 7 flowers each, but both are also adding a few more flowers.

---------- Post added at 02:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:09 PM ----------

Originally Posted by hanzy08

How did you get that phal mount lip to have 3 spikes? what fert do you use? is it an old plant?

I bought the plant years ago with two spikes loaded with flowers.

I kept cutting the spikes a little bit each time flowers faded, and the two old spikes are blooming for the third time. as good as ever!

The third spike was made this past fall. It only has four flowers but it is adding a few more. I guess the plant is busy with the other two spikes.

So, yes, it is slightly old, but not too old. The two old spikes were the very first spikes this plant made.

I don't think fertilizers have any effect on the number of spikes or flowers. General good culture that keep the plant healthy is the key, then the genetics I believe.
I find strong light (just short of burning) brings the best blooming out of about any orchids (at least the ones I have).

This particular phal came in straight sphag in large clay pot. I have never repotted. too lazy. I have been very careful with watering though, hence the plant managed to stay alive, and made some large healthy leaves too. lol

I fertilized less than five times in the past two years. The moss might maintain some. not really sure. but good watering and good light are the most important.

---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:16 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Orchidgirl83

Wow, that mount lip is gorgeous, and I like the white lining on that mini too.

I know, right? This is a terrible shot taken at night time.
The flowers just glisten in the day light.

I thought about tossing the plant as it is getting so big, but it has been such a nice performer and so pretty, so it is still sitting here.

That little phal is so cute, isn't it? I love it!!!

---------- Post added at 02:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------

Originally Posted by quiltergal

The mini reminds me of Queen Beer.

That Mount Lip is pretty impressive. What's the flower count on it this year ?

It does look like the magenta color of Queen Beer, but mine has slightly "dirtier" tone in person. the white lining really helps.

Mount Lip has 7 flowers on each of the reblooming old spikes, but both are adding at least three more buds at their tips.
The brand new spike has only 4, but it is also adding a few more buds.

---------- Post added at 02:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:22 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Picotee

A lovely reward for your good culture. I'm happy to see some of mine are also budding up. I'm partial to the mini phals mainly due to space restrictions.

I hear you. Space is so so precious for me as well living in a crazy city with ridiculous housing price.

As much as I love large phals with that signature cascading blooms, they just get too big with horizontally stretching leaves. I have bought and dumped so many large phals. They are now getting more like flower display only type of plants for me. mainly due to space. They are still great for money as they last for like ever!

Some of the minis tend to grow out of their mini size. How deceiving!

I think a member once told me that mini really refers to the flower size, not the actually plant size. that only adds to my confusion.

The last one with deep magenta with white picotee is truly mini in both flower and plant size. definitely a keeper for me.

I really have to repot them because none of these phals have been repotted since I brought them home.
All are sitting in straight sphag and clay pot. some have that thin clear plastic pot.

I find sphag very good for phals, especially makes the watering easy for me.

[tryingtoflower]

Thanks for the great information. I'm so appreciative of all the help from the senior members. I've been given many phals. that have bloomed once and then been thrown out. Hopefully I'll always have something in bloom when they respond to this method.

[NYCorchidman]

I rarely have phals bloom twice a year or at some odd time other than winter. Many will bloom just once a year, so if you have a few of them, they usually all bloom together in the winter time.

One big bang! hahaha