Phal finished blooming

[devonlin]

Hi, this is my first post and I've no experience of orchids. I bought two phalaenopsis orchids in August this year. The smaller one is still in full bloom with two fat buds still to open, but the larger one has just finished - only one bloom left. This one had two flower stalks. It looks as if it is growing a new leaf from the centre of the four leaves already there. My questions are, do I cut off the flower stems that have been left; do I carry on feeding it ( I have been doing this every 2 or 3 weeks since I've had it) and given the lower temperatures outside should I keep it on the conservatory windowsill or would it be happier further into the room?
I hope these questions aren't too basic. I love my orchids and would like to expand if I can be successful with these. Thanks, Lin

[mayres]

Welcome Lin -
There are two trains of thought regarding spent flower spikes. One, cut off at the base and let the plant rebuild for a stronger spike the next blooming season (they typically will bloom once per year). The second train of thought is cut the spike just above the node below the first (oldest) flower. For many varieties you will then get a secondary spike (if the plant is "happy")that usually has slightly smaller and less flowers. When this is done most (though not all) would cut the total spike at the base. Yes, keep fertilizing - pretty much year round. Once your phal aclimates to your environment the cooler weather and shorter days is what typically triggers it to produce new spikes. Many people who grow lots of phals have them starting new spikes now - quite a few of mine are at this stage. You will want to keep it in a location where it can get enough light to photosynthesize enough to produce energy for a coming new spike - unless you have large skylights or very large windows, getting too far into the interior of a room might not be good. Temperature-wise the 50's would be OK for awhile during the night (and good to initiate new blooming) but they are going to want high 60's or ideally 70's the majority of the day. Check this site on the American orchid society for culture sheets on phals and other orchids - http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/page01.aspx mike

[desertgal]

Hi...I am not an expert but have had some success with phals. I have learned that they must have a cooling period of 4 to 5 weeks in order to spike again.
I live in the desert and my house does not get cool enough at night for the necessary temperature drop of 15 - 20 degrees. I carry them outside every evening and bring them back inside to their regular spot during the day. I will do this for the month of November and the first week of December. I don't leave them in the sun during the day as they sunburn easily. I prefer to trim the old spikes back when they finish blooming so that the strength goes to the plant for new growth.
I have been told that it takes a phal 3 months from beginning spike to bud,
3 months for blooms and six months for rest and growing. I find this to be generally true.
Katie

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If your Phals were in bloom in August, they were caused to bloom out of season (late winter, early spring), so I doubt that you will get a new spike this winter. So, maybe you would want to leave the old spike, with the tip cut off (Sterile tool only) just below the first flower position and just above a little bump on the flower stem/spike. If you cut it much shorter, the chances go up of getting a keiki (baby plant) instead of a continuation of flowers. Cynthia

[Aniko]

Welcome Lin,
After all, it may happen that your Phals will contradict the usual habit and start new spikes. One of mine, now in bloom for the second time this year, with 2 stalks each time, already has started the 5th(!) spike - I did nothing to trigger new blooming, I keep it in the bedroom so there is no significant drop of temperature...
Aniko

[devonlin]

Thank you all so much for the helpful advice - this was my first posting and I'm so grateful to have so much support. It didn't show on my question, but I'm in England so we are obviously experiencing shorter days and colder weather. My orchids are in a conservatory off the lounge, so whatever light there is does get to the plants and there is heating on in the morning and again in the evenings. I think I'll cut off the flower spikes at the first flower as suggested. I'll keep you posted!! Thanks again to all of you for the advice. Lin