Phals. @ out of 3 ain't bad but....

[JimBer]

Hi again...
I have 3 phals amongst my limited, but growing, assortment of orchids. Last year all 3 bloomed beautifully at about the same time. This season two have nice spikes and I expect each to bloom in a few weeks or so. What I do not get, phal number 3, nothing in sight as far as spike activity. It is healthy and treated just like the others. Should I pamper it more just ignore it for a while or continue on and hope for the best? Opinions anyone?
So much to learn!

TIA... Jim

[E-Jag]

Ignore it. If it's healthy, as you say, it will come around - or not - on it's own timetable/ Not much you can do. Since your others are spiking, I assume you've has fluctuating day/night (diurnal) temps. They're all different.

[mytwogirls]

Focus on getting the plant overall healthy and generally the rest will take care of itself. It can be frustrating though, with the other two in spike and not that one. Maybe it has to do with the genetics of the orchid?

[kmarch]

I echo the statements of both E-Jag and mytwogirls. If your phals are growing and 2 are in spike you must be doing something right culturally. Continue focusing on giving good culture and apart from that, ignore the non-bloomer.

Orchids are not like machines where providing certain input produces consistent, reliable results. They're living things. For example, it is not uncommon for an orchid to skip a flowering season when you first bring it home. I'm guessing this isn't the case here since you mention they all flowered for you last year. At least you know from the other two and from the previous flowering that you can flower your phals in your conditions under your care.

[mehitabel]

Couldn't agree more with the others. They do sort of spike when they're ready. I have a lot of phals in spike/bloom, but not all of them. Some are big and healthy but not in spike. Some of these will spike in spring as the days lengthen, others might wait a whole year. I've had several that skipped a year before blooming, then put on a very good show. I have others that have bloomed continuously for over a year and keep throwing up new spikes while blooming. They seem to know what they're doing

As the others said, keep taking good care of them, and the 3rd phal will spike when it's ready.

[JimBer]

Thanks for the informative replies...

[mytwogirls]

You are welcome! Any time :-)

[JimBer]

Spike popping on Phal #3!

[mehitabel]

Originally Posted by JimBer

Spike popping on Phal #3!

Good growing!

[Hummer344]

I say threaten it with great harm if it doesn't come around. LOL. It may come around although I tried it without much sucess.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by JimBer

Spike popping on Phal #3!

See he was just teasing you a little. But seriously, well done! You must be giving your phals good culture/conditions!

[mytwogirls]

Great job! Be sure and post pics of those blooms!!!!!

[maiseymoo]

good job! some just take longer than others, just to stress us out I think! and when you have just about given up hope they go and put out a spike/root