Plug plant Zygopetalum Barbel Holn

[Susie11]

This little cutie arrived today. It is a plug plant zygo. barbel holn. It will not flower for a few years but I have noticed upon close inspection that it has at some point already flowered. I guess the advice is to cut the spikes if and when they appear in order to divert attention to the roots and produce a stronger plant in the process. I think that if it spikes for me I shall enjoy the strikingly beautiful blooms for a week or so and then -reluctantly- cut the spike as advised.

[WhiteRabbit]

Should it spike, I'd let it bloom - it wouldn't spike if it wasn't strong enough. Especially if it has previously bloomed, I would suspect that while it may be a plug, it's bloom size.

Good luck!

[Wynn Dee13]

If the plant is healthy when it spikes I would let it bloom too. Anyway even if you let the flowers open and enjoy them for a few days you might as well keep them on since growing and developing the flowers is what takes the most energy. If the plant was dying or doing really bad then I would cut the spike as soon as I saw the spike or bud. Then it would put its energy into leaves, growths, and roots. Orchids can bloom when they are dying, so just because a plant blooms doesn't mean it is healthy. Of course when they bloom usually they are healthy but when an orchid thinks it is dying it will often spike to give one last shot at self preservation.

But your plant looks really good and that's a good sign it has bloomed! That means it will flower faster than you thought for a plug plant! Show us pics when it blooms!

[Susie11]

Thanks for the advice guys. I reckon that next year I shall have some pics to show you. It is starting a new pbulb already and they take about eight / nine months to reach maturity so I will definitely keep it on the plant. The blooms are so lovely!