To cut the flower spike or not? - Orchid Board

jmain3 · #1 08-14-2011, 01:24 PM

Happy Sunday to everyone! I just got done repotting the two large phal orchids and it was great fun. I'm now wondering on to cut the flower spike on each or not. Both have lost all their flowers, that's how I got them on clearance for just 2.00 a piece. I've read many different opinions on how to.. But, wanted to include pictures of my own to see what you guys think. The first two images are of the first orchid.. Second two images are of the second orchid. Since these are larger than the other orchids I own.. Is it best to cut about 1/2-3/4 down or above the second node? I thank you all for your insight!

RosieC · #2 08-14-2011, 01:39 PM

As you have already found opinion differs on this.

If they are still green then there is a posibility of more flowers, although generally only one or two at a time and often smaller than the original ones. There is also a chance of a keiki (baby) growing on the spike if it's left.

I usually cut them off, just for neatness of the plant. When it is ready it will grow a new spike.

If the spike turns brown and dries up then it won't grow again so it's then best just to remove it.

jmain3 · #3 08-14-2011, 01:49 PM

Rosie,

Both are more purple than green. But, I wonder if that has something to do with the bulb since they both have a purple color under the leaves.

RosieC · #4 08-14-2011, 02:01 PM

Yeah, purple sounds like it's still alive. Those with dark purple/red flowers tend to have quite a purple tint on the spikes.

silken · #5 08-14-2011, 02:37 PM

Since you didn't get to see the blooms when you bought them, I would be tempted to cut the spike leaving about 2 or 3 nodes and see if it wants to flower again. At least you get to see what you bought! I have had nice displays with 5 or 6 flowers on two I recently did that to. The one that is still blooming for me also grew a second new spike off the old one that is in bud. I may decide to cut it down after the existing flowers are done, just to let it have a rest. Some don't re-spike at all.

It does seem that plants with some purple or pink in their flowers have purple pigment in spikes and leaves.

Eyebabe · #6 08-14-2011, 03:22 PM

My "rule of thumb

":

I generally leave about two or three nodes like silken said. If it reblooms, I enjoy the flowers and afterward THEN cut it to the bottom (leaving about an inch or so).
If it begins to brown, I just cut it down.

Thus I only rebloom a spike one time as it is my preference to push the plant a bit for me to enjoy, but to be fair and give it rest as well

Asher · #7 09-04-2011, 12:27 PM

Hi guys i've had the same dilemma myself, i cut the spike back leaving quite a few nodes from which i got two keiki's. Now the spike is brown and the nodes are dried up so i guess its time to take it off at the base.

My worry is that some people say that certain orchids reflower from the same spike and they should never be cut as they will not re-spike, is there a way to find this out before i cut the spike off ?

RosieC · #8 09-05-2011, 06:06 AM

Once the spike is brown it won't reflower from that spike.

I think any orchid can grow a new spike if you cut it off. Some though are sequential bloomers and will grow one or two flowers at a time and when those fade more will grow. With those types you don't want to cut the spike unless it gets so long and ungainly that it's a problem for you, in which case you can cut it and a new one will eventually grow... just just might have to wait longer for the next flowers.

With multi-floral phals you get a lot of flowers on the initial spike and it MAY produce more, but generally less at a time and sometimes smaller (and it may produce keikis as you have seen). If you remove it you will get a new spike when the plant is ready to flower again and often more blooms because it's had a chance to rest in between.

Whichever sort it is though (or if it's not a Phal) once the spike has dried up it's not going to flower from that spike again so cut it off.

Asher · #9 09-05-2011, 10:41 AM

Thanks again for the great info

Eyebabe · #10 09-05-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Once the spike is brown it won't reflower from that spike.

I think any orchid can grow a new spike if you cut it off. Some though are sequential bloomers and will grow one or two flowers at a time and when those fade more will grow. With those types you don't want to cut the spike unless it gets so long and ungainly that it's a problem for you, in which case you can cut it and a new one will eventually grow... just just might have to wait longer for the next flowers.

With multi-floral phals you get a lot of flowers on the initial spike and it MAY produce more, but generally less at a time and sometimes smaller (and it may produce keikis as you have seen). If you remove it you will get a new spike when the plant is ready to flower again and often more blooms because it's had a chance to rest in between.

Whichever sort it is though (or if it's not a Phal) once the spike has dried up it's not going to flower from that spike again so cut it off.

Very true! I did not think of the sequential bloomers where you are not supposed to cut the spike unless it does turn brown.
I have a Phal Guadalupe Pineda with multiple spikes that are not to be cut unless they shrivel brown. Currently none have blooms but the plant is large and has about 6 spikes!
So therefore it is important to know which type of blooming phal you have

Most are not sequential however...