Chiloschista: Should I cut the spike?

[KristenReuel]

Hello!

After a month and a half, my chiloschista exuperei's flowers are finished and I've attached it to a new mount.

Should I cut off the spike, as I would with a vanda or phal? Just asking a silly question to avoid making a big mistake

The plant is doing well, producing 4 new roots.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I would leave them on to provide some nutrition via photosynthesis to the tiny meristematic tissue. I'd cut them when they are dry. They are "leafless" and probably could use all they can get.

---------- Post added at 09:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 AM ----------

Btw, they have a rest period during the winter.

A lot of people don't know this about them.

[KristenReuel]

Ah thank you. I will leave it on for now.

During the rest period, should it just be lightly sprayed every day? Right now I'm dunking the mount in water for about 20 seconds, and spraying it in the afternoon if it's a particularly hot day. It's working well for my climate.

[Paul Mc]

I didn't know about the rest period either until February when I bought another one at a show and was told that. Here I thought mine was dead and pitched it, and the seller just smiled and said "No, it always looks dead before the weather warms back up again." So I am curious what kind of rest it needs, like all watering stopped for a certain amount of time like Cynoches and similar, or more sparse watering like say once a week as opposed to daily.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Sparse watering - not every day. Once a week is plenty.

No moss. They hate it. I've killed a few growing them with moss.

You're better off using a warm mist humidifier if your growing area is not humid enough.

Chiloschistas always look kinda scraggly, that's the way they are.

---------- Post added at 12:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------

Btw, the roots grow in spurts. They don't grow fast either. Don't expect them to grow like Phals. The roots grow more like Vanda roots do. If the roots stop growing, and appear short and stubby for a long period of time, don't freak out, that's how they are.