While treating for mealybugs

[ardera]

Would it be ok to cut the spike off my Phal? Would it be recommended? This is my last bud on this spike, unless it were to decide to make another. I has been blooming for over a year now, and my intention was to cut the spike off completely anyway. Could/Should I cut it off now? I'm just guessing here, but I am thinking if I cut off the spike, my phal could then just focus on himself.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You could. It depends on what you want to accomplish.

If you wish for the plant to sustain energy and direct it into healing after a mealybug infection, then by all means, I think it would be a pretty good idea in this case.

[camille1585]

I would remove it for an entirely different reason. Mealies LOVE blooms, and if they have the choice between feeding on leaves and feeding on blooms, they head for the blooms. Since they hide deep in the flower, eradicating them becomes difficult. So if you want to make sure you permanently got rid of those buggers, cut off the spike.

[ardera]

Thanks, you both actually reinforced my feelings about this. I just also wanted to make sure it wouldn't hurt my 'chid if I cut it off (creating an open wound), while I was treating it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by ardera

Thanks, you both actually reinforced my feelings about this. I just also wanted to make sure it wouldn't hurt my 'chid if I cut it off (creating an open wound), while I was treating it.

"Cold sterilize" the wound with either hydrogen peroxide (you can spray the H2O2 onto the wound or use a cotton swab and dab it onto the wound several times) or isopropyl alcohol (use a cotton swab and dab the alcohol several times so that it doesn't go all over the place).

I don't like using heat sterilization techniques because it damages too many cells and gets just about the same results as "cold sterilization" techniques.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I just thought of this, you can also sterilize using the original Listerine. Apply using a cotton swab.