Phal question

[Tarad]

I was sitting here looking at all of my phals noticing that all of the spikes have only 5 or 6 buds on them on the very tip of the spike. Is this typical of most phals OR typical to the conditions they are living under, or the type of phal it is? I have seen phals with way more buds. Tara

[norris]

Tara, I'm curious for the answer also. I've noticed that some years my first Phal has a dozen or more blooms, but this year I think I will only have about 6.

[Tarad]

Actually I noticed also a couple only have 3 or 4 argh. Tara

[LauraGR]

Hmmm, it's a US conspiracy. I noticed that a few weeks ago - that most of my phals are putting on only 4-6 buds each. Beautiful, but not what there was last year!

[Tarad]

Hmmm most of my phals are over 5 years old. Could be the age thing?Tara

[mayres]

The number of buds your phal will have is dependent upon a number of factors including genetics, health of the plant, growing conditions/culture, etc. Generally speaking within the same type of phal - the older and more healthy they are the more you can count on additional blooms. Little seedling phals sometimes only pop out 1-2 flowers. The next flowering might give 4-6, with additional flowering increasing from there. If you allowed/encourage subspikes the plant may not have built up its vigor to the point of putting on as good a show as last season. Insufficient light, heat, fertilizer, etc. for some period during the growth phase can decrease its ability to produce excessive numbers of flowers - it is one big jumbled "package" that can be sometimes difficult to put your finger on if you have most of the factors close and there is not any single issue that stands out as inapprorpriate. Bottom line - when not blooming try to get as many and as big of leaves and roots as possible.

[Tarad]

Ok I figured as much thanks Mike. I do want to mention though that right now I have a teeny little phal that is in spike with 6 or 7 buds on it, my big monster phals have 3-4. I guess I will not in my lifetime figure this out what that is. Thery are all exposed to the same everything, so I have to narrow it down to genetics perhaps. Tara

[PhalPal]

I had a tiny little phal equestris last year that had 14 flowers on it. The spike was bigger than the plant! Moral of the story is....you really can't guage how many flowers you will get based on the size of the leaves.

Most of my phals are just beginning to spike now and I have FIVE phals with double spikes this year!!! This is the first full year they have been under lights versus in a sunny window. It sure has made a difference.

[Tarad]

YA know a couple of my phals have two or more spikes as well I have them under lights too. I cant wait till my teeny one opens! Tara