Type of orchid that you don't cut the spike?

[lmartiny]

I have read about and heard someone advising not to cut a spent spike off of a certain orchid. I can't remember the type of orchid it was. (not Phals) I'm sure someone knows this. Thanks.

[Tarad]

Hmmm I dont know but I want it Tara

[mayres]

The key operative word here is, "SPENT". If a spike is truly spent it is time to remove. A spike that is not currently blooming, but will one day (sooner or later) bloom again is not spent. Someone who knows a lot more genera than I will probably add to my very short list of spikes that will bloom on the same spike over time - phals (as you have noted), paphs, & psychopsis, tolumnias (last two I think I've heard - though I don't personnaly have them) for starters.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

I have read about and heard someone advising not to cut a spent spike off of a certain orchid. I can't remember the type of orchid it was. (not Phals) I'm sure someone knows this. Thanks.

There are a lot of orchids that are sequential bloomers, meaning they will flower repeatedly off the same inflorescence. Some Bulbophyllum, Phals, some in the Oncidium Alliance (like Psychopsis), some Epidendrums (like Epi longipetalum), even some Paphiopedilum are sequential bloomers.

[janet_a]

as kevin notes, probably psychopsis.

Onc Mendenhall 'Papa's Dream' AM/AOS x Onc papilio 'Mendenhall' FCC/AOS(photo): Carter and Holmes Orchids

[Rocinante]

Definitely Psychopsis and Tolumnias, certain Phals. Rule of thumb - "If it turns brown, cut it down."

[jerrymeola]

Psychopsis can bloom for 3-5 years off the same stem and even after they look brown and dried out they can still produce flowers.

Tollumnia can branch like Phals and produce furture flowers. You do cut them but only to the bottom of the finished flowers and above all the nodes.

[lmartiny]

Thanks everyone. I thought it was only one or two orchid types and wanted to check.