| A lot of people like to keep the spikes after the flowers are spent, hoping to get sub-spikes and/or keikis. Cutting the spike below the last node where the last flowers were on the spike will raise the chances of this happening. If it's still early enough in the season, I keep the spikes. If it's close to Autumn, I'll cut the spike all the way down and try to give it the most optimum conditions I can for it to grow a brand new spike for the new growing season. Without the spike, the plant's resources are spent in growing roots and leaves at a faster rate than when the spike is left. You did not harm the plant by cutting the spike, you're just left flower-less a bit longer, that's all. |