Second time rebloom
 

I have a supermarket phal which I was given after the flowers were spent. I cut the flower stem fairly high and last year it produced 2 spikes from the topmost node (actually, 3 but one was damaged). After those flowers wilted I cut the stem lower down, and this winter it has produced another spike from the same flower stem.

That means the same flower stem has produced flowers three winters in a row. I get most phal stems to reflower once, but haven’t seen one reflower twice until now. I generally assume the spike is spent and the plant needs a rest so cut it off down low.

Is this unusual?

If so, was the fact that the first year I cut the stem high (retaining about 4 nodes) and the second year I cut the stem low (retaining just 2 nodes) a serendipitous discovery of a worthwhile technique?

Attached is a photo of the first reflowering. See the old spike has been cut off high, and produced two flower spikes. It’s the red plant.

I never cut mine until they turn brown, and even then I leave the green parts. People who show cut off the entire old spike, but the rest of us can enjoy even more flowers.