Well, I guess I'll just dive in

[mlw]

Hi all,
This is helpful--can anyone clarify what's meant by a "node"--this isn't the little bracket left where the bloom eventually fell off, right? Where precisely does one cut to stimulate a new bloom? I've got a couple of phals that I think might rebloom, but I'm not sure I want to cut the spike unless that's really going to give them a nudge.

Also, I had a dendrobium that was in I think the same material you've got--it was some kind of coconut or palm tree material--dense and really sponged the water. One I got from Home Depot on the "sale" table (the ones that are dying) and since it had a new root at the top, I risked it and took it home, then trimmed and trimmed rotten roots out of that soggy spongy stuff. It's looking pretty happy now w/new growth, but it was hard to see the roots and not to overwater in the original material.

Yours looks great--and if if works for you, congrats.
Thanks,
Miriam

[Ross]

Welcome to the board Eileen. I think you have things well in hand here.

Miriam, a "node" is a place on a stem (either vegetative or flower) where something can happen. On a flower stem, it could be another flower stalk. On a vegetative stem it usually is a side branch of leaves. You don't always want to keep Phals in bloom by encouraging additional side sflower spikes. One reason is: they get stronger by growing new leaves and roots and "doing their thing" for a season before reblooming.

[Bird Song Farm]

Hi Miriam,
As Ross said, a node is a place on the flower stem that can produce a flower branch or a new plant, called a keiki. If you put your fingers on the stem at the very bottom and gently move them up you will feel a 'node'. Depending on the length of the stem there may be 3 or 4 or more before the places where the flowers started.

To produce either a flower branch or keiki, cut the spike about an inch above the third node. (this can vary, but 3 nodes is about average.) To stop flowering or new growth. Cut the stem just above the first node.

If you want the plant to re-bloom well, cut the spike at the bottom so the plant can rest and gather strength for its next bloom cycle. If you plant is in good condition then you can try for a flower branch or keiki. It's really a personal decision. Some people always cut the spike all the way off, others leave some for a branch.
AL

[Marty]

Lets not forget we have a glossary of orchid terms. Select "Glossary" from the site menu on the left

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...earchoptions=1

Oh, and welcome to OrchidBoard

[mlw]

Thanks all for the help including the glossary reference, and thanks to Eileen for setting up my question!

-Miriam

[peggypugsmom]

I just took Al's advice and felt the spike from the bottom up and the growth that was developing is on the 4th node..as I had mentioned earlier, the was unaware of having accidentally bumped the phal and noticed later that 3/4 of the growth had broken off, leaving a teeny stump...the originally growth was only about an inch long..now is about an 1/8 inch...so now not sure whether it is a new spike or a baby? I lost all of the blooms within the first week of receiving her...I believe to adjustment problems, ie light, etc.. This was my first and it is clearly the one that has begun my passion and interest...and my understanding of patience. Can't wait to see what is growing there!...Eileen

[newbieatwork]

Honestly, I'm very slow to catch on the "node" comment. My understanding is that its the covering on the spike (indicated by red arrows). Does anyone have a picture pointing to a node?

[Bird Song Farm]

newbieatwork, you are 'right on'. Your arrows are pointing to nodes.

Al

[Bird Song Farm]

Marty, thanks for the glossary reference. Did you notice that the word/term "node" isn't coming up highlighted with a pop up description and link?
Perhaps it's just me..........it seems as though I've seen this before when a word/term is included in a post.

AL

[newbieatwork]

Thank you for answering my question AL