| I am having a bit of trouble understanding this idea of a 'great big phal'. Phals are monopodial and unlike oncidiums, catts etc do not spread and become large plants in the sense that they take up a lot of space.
Growth is in one direction only and as new growth appears the lower leaves die and drop off. A very old phal to my mind left untouched would consist of a long bare stem with the new growth at the end. It would not be 'large' in the sense I understand. When they get to this stage I usually cut off the top of the plant re-pot and start again.
Some phals like gigantea are very large but this is due to growth habit and not just age.
Last edited by terry_sealey; 10-07-2008 at 05:51 AM.
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