Multiple spikes on phals

I was wondering if it is common to have multiple spikes on phals. Two of mine that already have 6 inch long spikes are sending out a second and they have never done that before. I'm not complaining but just curious

Thanks,
Kanda

[gadget19]

I think it depends on how big the plant is. You can have multiple spikes on older, happier plants. I am not sure if all phals will send up more spikes as they get older, since I am lucky to have one... but that's my guess. Definitely don't complain! Your plants are very healthy! Congrats!

Kelly

Thanks for your reply Kelly

[jerrymeola]

some species of phals are more prone to multiple spikes than others, but it is common on healty phals. You can even get multiples on very young plants.

Thank You The two plants that have the double spikes are first bloomers. They grew to triple their original size since I purchased them last March by summering on my screened sunporch. Yes, they are happy and so am I

Kanda

[orchidaddict789]

You can expect more spikes from larger phals. Though I've seen quite small phals handle three big spikes--don't know how they do that--but the rule is usually true. Yeah, light is very important. Light=more flowers...

[danska]

Most of all of the mature phals I have like amboinensis, fasciata, luddemannia, etc. have 3+ spikes on them at all times. That is truely the best part about older phals!

[janet_a]

age and parentage; i have a golden peoker daughter that spends about 18 out of every 24 months in bloom, on at least two spikes. i think it's just the GP in it. i have a little harlequin that i bought as a *seedling* about a year ago that's growing two spikes at the moment.

[Maba]

I'm curious if those of you getting these great results are using greenhouse conditions, or if it's possible for us windowsill growers?

When I shop for a phal, I make it a point to buy one with two spikes as I like lots of flowers.

[janet_a]

-raises hand- windowsill grower in MD 6b. (where it's freakin' COLD today. humidity at the orchids was probably down below 50% this morning; it was at 30% in my bedroom.)

and my itty bitty phal equestris, it turns out, is in high bud on the main spike, and what i thought was just another bud is actually a branch, so it's going to have a branched spike from the get go (as opposed to a spike that branches after the first set of flowers has died).

but again, it's parentage: this isn't unusual for equestris.

[Maba]

Well, that gives me hope--I want as many flowers as I can get--imagine that. Is there any way to know which phals like to multi-spike or branch?

And want to talk about cold? I have a foot of snow on the deck and am running out of firewood. :-) I did kind of think that MD was one of those early spring places....

Maba in CO

[janet_a]

well we were doing early spring there for a while--two weeks ago we were in our shirt sleeves. but then we got a blast of cold from the south of all places, and now we're stuck back in the high 40's and windy.


as for spikes--anybody with golden peoker in the background is good, as long as you like harlequins; baldan's kaleidoscope is usually good for multi branching; my brother lancer clone ("Tk") likes to multiple spike (and just came down with rot $#@!#@!); i think Dtps's are good from branching too, but i'm sure someone on here knows more about them than i.......

[jerrymeola]

branching is very comon on all Dtps (Doritis Phalaenopsis crosses) it is the doritis parentage that brings in the branching.

Parentage is the major reason for branching while a healty plant is the major reason for multiple spikes

My personal favorite is Dtps Newberry Parfait 'Picotee' which is know for producing buds on branches while the flowers are still in full bloom.



My control plant has had buds or flowers on the same stem since March of 2005

The flowers last extremely long, the current ones having been on the plant since October without dying and it branched 7 new buds this week. Another budded branch is still only a half inch. Right now I would expect this plant to be in bud or flower for at least 9 more months on the same stem. Two years of continuous flowers.

[Maba]

Very impressive! Interesting about the spikes vs branching. I so enjoy your pics Jerry, really gorgeous.