New flower stem!!!

[Brassavola]

A month ago or so, my Phal started to grow a new flower stem. Since the old one didn't dry out, I didn't cut it, so it stayed like that. When the new one started to grow,I didn't know whether to cut that old one, so I didn't. I also had to repot the plant, for it was poorly potted.That was a month ago. The new stem had grown to a height of 4cm and then the growth just stopped! I don't know what to do. Could it be possible that the old stem is weaking the plant and it has no more energy to grow the new stem? I was so happy when I realized that the new stem was growing...

[patticake]

I don't think there's a problem from the old stem. The problem may be from re-potting. You may have broken a root, or the plant might just be trying to adjust to the new potting medium. Usually it's best to re-pot after flowering, or just after signs of new roots. Hopefully it's just re-adjusting to the new potting medium and will come around. Let us know how you make out!

[Brassavola]

Could it be adjusting since I repotted it a month or even more ago and the flower stem has been growing during that period? It stopped growing a week ago.

[mayres]

Are we talking a new spike from the base of the plant or a subspike off the initial main spike you started with? Have you had a cool period? Temperature is a significant factor in spike growth speed - the warmer the better/faster up to high 80's at least. You might post a pic for additional member insight. I concur with Patti in that the repot process may have given your plant pause - though in most circumstances I have not noted repotting as having significant effect on phal growth/spike activity - the exception being folks (and initially myself) who have not propoerly soaked their bark or have poor quality bark - which is not retaining enough moisture for your plant. Do the leaves continue to have good turgor (nice and full/stiff)?

[Brassavola]

The new spike is coming from the base, not from the old one.
Come to think of it, temperature has significantly fallen a week ago from 86°F or more to 68°F. Could this be the cause? The leaves have a very healthy colour and are stiff (the old and the new ones). I noticed that the old bark was very bad (there was poor water drainage and I didn't have to water the plant for a month (!), but the roots were all healthy, and I couldn't find any bad ones when I was repotting) so I had to repot it immediately (I was waiting too long, I know... ). The new bark is better (I added pot fragments at the bottom of the pot), though a bit dry, so I have to soak the plant almost every week.
I have another problem, but this one is not so serious. I can't get rid of those darn small flies. I know they can't harm my plants, but they are so annoying...

[Brassavola]

Here is it:

[mayres]

VERY NICE healthy looking plant - you appear to be doing excellent! I'll bet that spike continues growing soon. Keep us curious folks informed..................

[jay]

The drastic temperature change could have done it as well. It might just be waiting for better weather for the flowers. Keep us updated. Very nice looking plant.

[Brassavola]

Thanks everybody!
You've cheered me up a lot
Temperatures are getting higher and higher every day (next week we're expecting temp. over 86°F), so I hope everything will be fine.
I'll keep you updated...

[bkim]

I've never seen a Phal that light green. It must be growing in great conditions! Congrats!

[jerrymeola]

Almost anything can cause the flower stem to stop growing. The most common result is not enough water. Phals want a constant light moisture in the medium. If it dries the flowers stop, at least for a while.

This was one of the reasons for the species and hybrid growing projects. There we were able to compare different growing conditions and the plants reaction to it.

In the hybrid project, we are growing Phal. Naples Nights x (Petite Rose x Glad Melinda).

I had three go from no spike to a 3 inch spike in one week. The plants had been in plastic bags and the higher heat and humidity seem to cause the spiking.

Brandon took one on April 19th. His progress is in this thread
brandank's 2 Phal. Naples Nights x (Petite Rose x Glad Melinda)

I keep one for a control plant. It has been very warm (over 90 everyday for months) and the nursery has keep me busy so I have ignored my personal orchids. Before our summer rains began, I needed to water the Phal every day even though it was in Sphag. Several times it dried out. Now after two months my spike is no longer than it was April 19, while Brandon's has developed buds that opened between May 27-31st.

Fortunately it should just be a delay and the flowers will come later. Be patient.

[janet_a]

(love the avatar. )

[Brassavola]

Still nothing. It's not growing, but has changed colour. It was light green, now it's a bit darker, like the old one.