E. Rose

[E. Rose]

I have a healthy phalnopsis growing outside. I never cut the bloom spikes after the flowers fell. I was waiting for them to turn brown. Never happened they are sort of green brown and strong, not at all withered. Ought I leave them alone or cut them back? This is humid S. Texas Coast and this plant is growing fine new leaves and has beed repotted and looks and feels great. What is up??

Thanks E. Rose

[mayres]

What you do with the spike is entirely up to you. Some people cut them entirely back immediately to strengthen the plant and encourage another new spike next season and others cut the spike just above the last node (at the flower end) hoping for a side spike - which will usually have less and smaller flowers, but sometimes right away instead of waiting until the next regular bloom cycle. As long as it is alive the choice is yours. Enjoy. mike