Multiple bloom spikes on phal

[E-Jag]

I bought both of my phals last year, in bloom. Each was small, in a plastic cup, and each had 1 bloom spike with 3 blooms at the top. This year, they bloomed again, 1 spike each with 3 flowers. I keep seeing phals with multiple spikes and 5 or more blooms. Will a phal, as it gets older/larger, begin throwing up multiple spikes (I'm hoping) or is this maybe a matter of genetics?

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E-Jag

[Aniko]

I think you are right, and also growing conditions matter: age+genetics+culture.
But this is my conclusion based on readings.Maybe somebody will share a real life experience...

[BillC]

Hi Jag, I have not got many Phals so I don't consider myself qualified to suggest reasons for the way blooms are produced but I think Aniko has the right of it. Growing conditions and care must have a great influence on how a plant will do well. I have a phal that was bought last year with one spike and five or six flowers. After over-wintering, this year has produced two spikes and when all the buds had opened it now has thirty three flowers. The spikes have each got five branches with numbers of flowers on each branch. This plant has not had any different treatment than others and if I was asked to explain the large number of blooms I think I must accept that it is genetic. The parents were probably multifloral from a long line.
Bill.

[E-Jag]

Aniko/Bill - Thanks for your responses. 33 blooms?!! God, you're killing me here. Maybe there is hope for mine, though, as it gets older and bigger. Bill, did your plant do this at a fairly young age or as a fairly small plant?

E-Jag

[BillC]

Jag, I can't be sure of the age but I would guess at no more that three years.
Bill