Is this normal - phal flowers are different sizes?

[flowerpower]

Hello!

I recently got one of my Phals to re-flower for the first time. I'm so proud

I was looking at the flowers and for a while now, I have felt the flowers looked different sizes. I dismissed it as just being 'all in the mind' lol. But today I measured them and true enough the smaller flowers are 6.5cm x 6cm. The bigger flowers are 9cm x 8cm.

I was wondering because it is flowering on 3 spikes if this might have something to do with it (2 are old spikes I cut back but it went ahead and threw out a third, new spike). However, each spike has a mixture of big and small flowers. I have some new orchids in bloom (I am now seriously hooked). On those, the flowers seem to be the same size though

Maybe blooming on 3 spikes at once has fatigued it?

[orchidaddict789]

Hello! Yay congrats with getting your phal to reflower!

I've had phal flowers that become progressively smaller, for example, the first bloom would be the largest, the second pretty large, the third a bit smaller, until by the 5th-6th the flowers are much smaller. Flowering can be tiring for a plant, especally if it's the first time the plant's flowering and the plant itself is young. Also I noticed that flowers on the 2nd (or 2rd spike) aren't quite as large as the ones on the first. Don't worry about it--as long as the plant is healthy and can support all the spikes. Don't forget to keep on fertilizing.

[cowgirl]

Great growing - can't wait to see the pics

[flowerpower]

It seems the flowers at the tip of the spike are the largest.

The orchid in question is the one on the right, you can see two flowers directly at the camera. The top one is small and the one slightly lower much larger!

I went for a "cascade" effect on it, after snapping a flower spike on another orchid that spiked when trying to stake it (the poor guy on the left!)

I hope you like my orchids.

I was also wondering what the difference is between a branched-style spike on a phal and a normal (linear) phal spike? Can they be cut back in the same way?

[mehitabel]

Originally Posted by flowerpower

It seems the flowers at the tip of the spike are the largest ...

I was also wondering what the difference is between a branched-style spike on a phal and a normal (linear) phal spike? Can they be cut back in the same way?

Those are really lovely! About your phal-- I think the flowers at the tip are smaller because this is a branch off a main spike that already bloomed. Flowers off a branch often are smaller. The larger flowers lower down seem to be blooming off a main spike.

Branching vs non-branching spikes, can they be cut back the same way? Yes, you can cut them the same way. The difference would be if the phal has a tendency toward branching spikes it would be more likely to re-spike off a branch, as your dark pink is doing.

Your phals are beautiful-- all the different shades of pink look really well together!

[kmarch]

Yes it's "normal" for flowers of these kinds of phals to be a bit smaller as you approach the tip of the inflorescence. I say "normal" because I mean that it is not necessarily a sign of a problem. Sometimes in lower light levels the unopened buds will not open as large as earlier buds that opened in brighter light. When people show orchids at shows and for judging, it's usually more desirable for the flowers to be as near the same size as possible but if you're not showing it makes no difference whatsoever.

You've got a window full of pretty phals! Thanks for sharing them with us!

[flowerpower]

I'm glad you liked my orchids !

But you guys like all orchids, come on admit it

Mehitabel - Thanks for the tips on the different types of orchid branches!! I didn't know they came like that until recently.

Kmarch - I didn't know that flower sizes are affected by light intensity. Thanks for the info!!

[Julez]

Hi Flowerpower

Love those Phal's, gorgeous. I see they have a very nice view out the window too.

Thanks for sharing

[mytwogirls]

My phal Black Jack is doing the same thing. Don't worry, just enjoy your beautiful flowers!

[flowerpower]

Thanks! It's funny how we fuss over them, always worrying that our orchids are happy!!