| How and when to cut the spike is somewhat subjective and you will get many different suggestions based on everyone's personal bias. Some would suggest cutting back to just above the first node with hope of yet another subspike emerging from the spike. If it did, it would probably have fewer and slightly smaller flowers than the original. Some would suggest you leave it as it currently is until it turns yellow and then remove at the base. My suggestion is that you cut it down at the base now and let the plant re-energize its roots and leaves for another spike that should naturally emerge from the base area of the plant in late fall or early winter as the temperature differential increases between night and day. The majority (not all) phals spike about this time and then follow up with blooming in later winter/early spring and last for three months or longer. People concerned about transferring plant virus to your plant (especially those with large numbers of plants - more potential of transferring disease from plant to plant) will suggest you use a sterile tool to cut off the spike. I use a small pair of dikes used for cutting small wire to get a nice clean cut close to the base. Good luck.  |