Phal. Sogo Vivien care/Introduction

[Olivia]

Originally Posted by DragonSpirit1185

I am also curious as to what to do when the spike dies.
I was told you cut above the 2nd node.
like this:

There are two basic schools of though regarding cutting spikes after the flowers are spent:
1) Wait until the spike turns dry and brown and then cut it.
2a) Cut it back to the base as soon as the flowers are done.
2b) Cut it back to above the 2nd node like you mentioned.

People generally do the second node cut if they're hoping to get another spike branching off the old spike, but that doesn't always happen.

I personally wait for mine to turn dry and brown before cutting because some phals are sequential bloomers and will bloom off the old spikes. I have a new sogo vivien myself and the spike has stayed green for about six months since the flowers were spent. I don't know enough about this one to know if it will rebloom but I'm taking the wait and see approach

The main reasons people will cut the spike back completely is that if the plant is not genetically a sequential bloomer there can be fewer and fewer flowers each bloom. But one of mine that is sends out new blooms every 3 or so months on the two old spikes. The other reason to cut the spike is if you think your plant needs to conserve it's energy, for example if its suffering from root loss.

Basically how and when you cut the spike is a matter of personal preference. But if you do cut it while it's green use a sterile blade and cinnamon dust.

Hope this helps!