Should I cut the spike?

[anna1029]

Well, my phal finished blooming. The last flower is about to fall off. The spike looks nice and green, should I still cut the spike or leave it be? I get mixed advice from everyone. Some people tell me to cut it down and some tell me that if it's green just leave it alone and it might put out new blooms. What should I do?

[Vivienne]

My 2 petals worth...

If the rest of the plant is happy and healthy I would leave it, or cut it down to the next lower node. You may or may not get a few more blooms. If not, the spike will turn brown and then you can cut it.

If you want to put more energy into the plants leaf and root growth, then cut the spike.

More mixed advice I guess. It really depends on what you want from the plant... potential new blooms now (leave it); new leaf and root growth now (cut it).

[mayres]

My reaction to this question is based somewhat on the area that you (we) live. Assuming that your plants are warmer and getting more of what they want this time of year - their main growth and rejuvination period is potentially the warm summer and early fall months (at least this is the case for me). So.....I want my plants focusing on rebuilding leaves and roots AT LEAST the last half of this more significant growing period. I'm actually considering removing spikes that are not yet finished with their blooming cycle sometime near the first of August. Is this not anathama?????? If you had a subspike starting now I would let it go. If you have a clean/clear spike I would personally remove it. Let your plant make a run at building up energy for a blast of bloom next spring. I have about 35 phals and the plants I allowed to bloom deep into August and part of September seemed to be less inclined to set up spikes with the rest of the group. People who live in Florida, southern California, etc. may have totally different experiences in their more mild/tropical climates. Something to consider..............
Enjoy. Mike

[PhalPal]

I live in a tropical climate and I cut my spikes when the last flower fades. I have found that if I leave it or cut down to the first node, I get only a few substandard flowers. I also take pride in growing beautiful leaves and roots and don't see the 'off season' as a waste. In my opinion, leaving spikes drains the plant when it should be spending time on recuperating and growing.

I do have a few phals that are perpetual bloomers and have a beautiful flowering spike all year. This is different from allowing the same spike to re-bloom.

You will get different answers from a lot of different growers; nobody is right or wrong. It is one of the things that makes growing orchids such a pleasure, trying different things and seeing if you can make a difference.

[booboo.tannenbaum]

PhalPal--On your phals that are perpetual bloomers, have you cut the spikes at all when one empties of blooms? If so, where do you cut it?

xoxo
boooboo

[brookn]

booboo,
Cut the spike as far down as you can without damaging any leaves. Some phals will produce flowers at another blooming, from the same spike therefore it should be left alone, but I do not think that is the case with yours. I believe that phalpal's perpetual bloomers just constantly are sending out new spikes. I experimented with cutting the spike partway down on two of my noids, and they are currently sending out subspikes. My experiment was to see 1) if they would send out subspikes or keikis and 2) to see if my conditions were good for my plants to spike at all (they are inside where there is air conditioning). So far so good. I do believe that the reason I got subspikes instead of a keiki had to do with how far I cut them ( above the second node). My thought is that to get a keiki I should have perhaps cut lower. I also used these plants because they were very healthy, one is also producing a leaf while the subspike sets (yay!). The other phals that I have, I cut the spikes as low as I could cut them so I could get new growth and rest the plants. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[jsa1840]

my last blossom just fell also, but the top 6 inches or so is brown! where should i cut it and how? my blossoms lasted a full 3 months, and i don't want to lose this plant due my my own ignorance!

thanks so much
sara

[PhalPal]

booboo - brookn is right; I cut my spikes at the bottom when all blooms are gone. My perpetual bloomer just never stops sending up new spikes. It's all in the genetics; nothing I do causes it to do this. I really don't like draining the plant for possibly a few more, inferior flowers. Instead I cut it off and let the plant put it's energy into new growth of roots and leaves, and of course next year's blooms.
jsa1840 -Your spike is dying off because it has served it's purpose and turning brown is very normal. Cut if off as close to the bottom as you can. I use a single edge razor and I use it only once for each orchid. Throw it away when you are done. Continue to water and care for your plant just as you always have and your orchid will be fine.