Spike limits?

[tanyap]

This may truly be a dumb question, however I do not know the true answer so I'll ask. I am accustomed to seeing phals with only one or two spikes. The larger of my two phals lost the tip of one spike (it has two). So I did what you all suggested and cut to a node. That spike started putting out a new spike growth. I was very excited . The other spike has a small continuance, but has not progressed. A few weeks ago, I noticed a rather strange "root" coming from the middle of two leaf segments . Once it grew out more, it definately did not look like any other root I have seen thus far. Well low and behold I believe I have a third spike on this phal. Is this possible? Can a phal have an unlimited number of spikes? My other phal although smaller, lost one spike completely and has another spike with a small continuance that has not progressed. I do not see any new "growths" only roots and leaves. I am beside myself with joy, because these are the first spikes that have taken place since I obtained these plants. Each had two spikes upon purchase. Also, I was wondering if there is anything I should be doing to try to get more spikes. I read somewhere that autumn temps between 55-65 may help produce spikes. I live in central florida and we have been having some really nice cool weather. How cool is too cool for my phals. They are located in the East side of a screened room. Thank you.

[mayres]

The older and more mature your phals get the more spikes they might potentially get. I have heard of phals 20-30 years old having 8-10 spikes at once! Most of the plants that we all purchase for sale are just "babies". :-) Your plant will just naturally get more and more spikes as it ages and is getting the culture that it likes. Yes, for the majority of hybrid phals the time that they start developing new spikes is approximately this time frame - give or take. The cool night temps is thought to be part of the trigger - yes, I have about 35 of them and have been trying for mid to low 50's at night in my growing area - some of them are starting to spike now. "How cool is too cool"? Do you mean for just the evening temperature or during the day? They could bet down into the 40's or even 30's a couple times without killing/hurting them - but you would not want to do this regularly. They need to be warm during the day or they will stall and not grow - preferably at least mid to upper 70's. They will even grow better in the 80's. Good luck - sounds like you are doing the right things to have a plant setting spikes like you describe. When you get flowers post a pic and brag a little! mike

[pikevi]

I have seen Phals with 5-6 spikes here in Toronto.

Quite beautiful but not necessarily affordable ,at least, to me.

But I am determined to get some of mine to do the same

By looking at the new spikes on many of my Phals I doubt if I would even get 2 spikes, ever

Good luck with yours,tanyap.

We hope to see some photos soon

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by tanyap

I read somewhere that autumn temps between 55-65 may help produce spikes. I live in central florida and we have been having some really nice cool weather. How cool is too cool for my phals. They are located in the East side of a screened room. Thank you.

Unfortunately the info you read was wrong. The bloom initiator in Phals is a night-time temp drop of 10-15F. Phals are intermediate growers so they can tolerate temps as 55-60 but the lower the temp[ the more at risk they are for the problems that come with wet/cold, i.e. rot and other nasties.

[mayres]

I'm assuming Kevin is speaking of complete 24 hour drops into these temperature ranges as "wrong" (?). I have found night time (only) drops into these ranges for several years to be beneficial and no issue/problems with "nasties". The first year I grew phals I noted that continued temps in the 55-60 range didn't cause any problems either - but they didn't grow - the plants went into a state of stasis - not dying and not growing - sort of like plastic artificial plants. As soon as the season warmed up they started off again. My two cents worth................

[E-Jag]

Mike, I went to an orchid show this past weekend and was looking at some beautiful phals with multiple spikes each. Since mine have never had more than one I asked the grower about this and was told that genetics determines whether a phal will have multiple spikes. She said that if a phal has had only one spike for several years, it is genetically predisposed to have only one and no matter what I do, it will always have only one. That was sort of a downer. Was she wrong? I was hoping one day mine might have multiple spikes. If that can't happen, I'll buy one that does. Your opinion would be appreciated. TIA.

E-Jag (Rick)

[mayres]

Rick - I am hardly an expert, but am learning (well......at least TRYING ) every day like the rest of the members of this forum. I think there is probably SOME truth to the fact that certain phals will be more inclined to multiple spike more if they have the genetics to do so, but on the other hand, I'm also inclined to think that all (?) phals will eventually multiple spike to some degree. Maybe a 20-30 year old phal of one cross would have 3-4 spikes where another might have 10-12? At this point in my education process this is my guess. Maybe a real phal expert will come on and set me straight if this is incorrect?

[E-Jag]

Mike, hope you're right! Thanks for the reply. I may still take out an insurance policy anyway.

E-Jag

[tanyap]

Okay, the new spike is coming along nicely, the regrowth of the spike I cut to a node is coming along as well. The continuances at the top of the two original spikes are not doing a thing, BUT.... Now I see that there appears to be growth coming from a node. Is this possible without having cut the spike back? There is a definite strange looking growth coming from either a node or where a previous bloom had been. It is rather low on the spike. On the same spike at the node just superior to the one I'm mentioning appears to be attempting the same thing. There is a very small growth appearing there too. I have been watching the first growth, and it is definitely getting bigger. What is going on???????????