How to encourage two bloom spikes on phal?

[Sarah_bee]

My phals are reblooming beautifully but I was curious, what factors determine whether or not a phal will have one bloom spike or two? I have asked different people this questions and the more people I ask the more answers I will get! I was wanting anyone's input. Is it a longer cool period? Cooler conditions while developing the spike? Genetics? I grow in a greenhouse that is heated for the winter (I do let them all cool to about 55 for a few weeks) and I have a water cooling system along one wall for the summer heat. Help!

[Ray]

1) Genetics. Some plants are simply programmed to routinely produce multiple spikes. Get into complex hybrids, and who knows that the species' influences will be?

2) Culture. Throwing multiple spikes is a pretty resource-consuming event. if the plant has been grown really well, and has put on a decent level of reserves, the likelihood of that happening is increased.

3) Maturity.

[Sarah_bee]

Thank you for the reply!

[jcec1]

Not to be recommended - I broke a spike above the bottom node, the plant responded by producing a secondary spike from the node that remained and it produced another spike at the same time.

[snowflake311]

On my old trusty White Phal that is now 5 years old. I cut her old spike down and I got it to branch off of it. I also have a new spike growing too. Here is a photo. I feel like this plant is saying thank you too me because I finally repotted her last year from the moss she was bought with. Happy plants bloom!

PS the reason she only has 2 leaves is because during the years I had her I almost killed her and it took a long time to recover. This is my First orchid I kept alive. I learned a lot from her.

[Sarah_bee]

Thank you for your reply. I love hearing orchid stories, especially about that ONE. I am going to experiment.

[snowflake311]

I also have this one. It is my second orchid. I almost killed this one too. It took almost 2 years for it to recover and bloom for me. Now that it has been almost 2 years I have 2 spikes. I bought it with only one spike.

All my small Phals are in a South facing window and they get lots of light. The Temp changes a lot in that window due to the sun. I think age can play a role in how many spikes they send out.

I can't wait to see this one bloom because I forgot what it looked like.

[Draft]

Like many things, I think it's less of one key factor and more of an accumulation of many. Like what Ray said.

On a semi related tangent while poking through some research articles on artificially suspending spike growth; that initiating spikes by lowering the ambient temperature by about 10 to 15 degrees for a short period was a common theme. However, if the plants not healthy you'd probably wouldn't be doing it any favors.

There also was supposedly no change in response to different lengths of photoperiods, though that study had some issues.

*shrugs* It might be something to consider.

Personally I'm all for "It happens when it happens".

[Sarah_bee]

Thank you guys for your responses. I appreciate it.

[flexdc]

Sarah,
I have grown and rescued may Phals, the answer really depends a lot on genetics!
Some cross regularly put on only one spikes and others multiple. That also goes for branching spikes. Some breeds have natural branching habits.
Now that is not to say your plant will never put out more than one spike. It might if you let it mature to a very big plant, i.e. 6 or 7 leaves on the plant and it might send out more than one spike even though it is a single spike breed.

Good luck.
Andrew