New spike

[hank3443]

Hi, I have a large white Phal. for about five years, it has bloomed consistently for me every year at approximately the same time. This year after blooming on both the new and last years spikes i cut them and decided to repot. I usually wait until spring but i had the time and the medium looked a little broken down. While repotting i noticed a new spike just forming, i know that some Phals. bloom more then once during the year (i have a few) but this one has been so consistent i was wondering if this is normal or a rarity. Thanks Hank...

[Tarad]

I have had a phals bloom more than once. Most of mine do not though.

[mehitabel]

Hi, Hank. Welcome aboard.

When it's a big healthy mature plant like yours, it blooms more or less on its own-- in its season, if it has one, or when it's ready. This includes putting up a new spike while still blooming.

Congratulate yourself on your good growing! (And yes, a repot right now was a great idea)

What other phals do you have?

[dillon935]

Smile, I can't answer you question but I have to say you are a terrific grower. Congrats on getting your phal to bloom for you so well.

[hank3443]

Hello everyone, I just want to thank you for answering my post. Mehitabel asked me what other Phals. I had, I do appreciate you giving your expertise to my question.I have about
(16) Phals. (1) mounted Buena Jewel, the rest all potted in moss, coco chips and or bark as well as other ingredients. (1) Violacea Malaya, (1) Timothy Christopher (1) mannil, (1) violacea Borneo, a few Sogo Gotrios & Sogo vivien, (1) Equalacea, (1) Alice Millard, (1) Mini Mark and a number of noids, some of which had tags but through my ignorance have been lost. Thanks again Hank........

[-k-]

congrats on the new spike!
In my experience some respike sooner than others. Some of my phals are on there second spike of the season where others haven't spike all year but have put out new roots and leaves.

Don't really know the reason why, could imagine age, light, medium, etc... all play a role, and the prior history of the plants growth cycle depending on when you got it. I kinda just roll with it and let them do their thing if they're happy so am I

[kmarch]

Hi Hank and welcome! Here are a few name corrections you'll find useful:

Originally Posted by hank3443

(1) Violacea Malaya,
(1) violacea Borneo,

Before I begin, I should like to note that all species names are in lower case, so it would always be Phal violacea, never Phal Violacea.

The "Malaya" and "Borneo" in your names above are actually not part of the orchid's name but rather they indicate the geographical region from which they come. Although once considered a single species, Phal violacea, the species that come form these two regions are not considered to be two different species. The one that comes from the Malay Peninsula retains the name Phal violacea and the currently accepted name of the pecies that is predominantly found in Borneo is Phal bellina. Although quite similar and certainly closely related (Christenson calls them "sister species") these two species are differentiated by flower shape (violacea tends to make an equilateral triangle between its sepal tips), flower colour (bellina tends to exhibit the pink/purple ot white to green at the tip gradient while violacea is less virbrantly coloured [exceptions apply]), and scent. So your violacea Malaya could safely be tagged Phal violacea and your violacea Borneo could (perhaps should) be tagged Phal bellina. Let us know if you have wuestions about this.