What about the spike?

[boxerfan]

I have Phals. and I have read that after they finish blooming, you should cut the spike back above the first node under the flowers to induce more blooming. I have also read that you should cut it back to above the second node. So which is it? Also, once all blooming has stopped, what happens to the spike? Do I cut it off entirely or leave it be? Two of my phals. clearly have stubs where a second spike once existed, but has been cut off. Will they ever grow new second spikes? Finally, if a plant stops blooming and I don't want it to flower again until next season so I can give it some TLC, what do I do with the spike? Well, that's enough for now. Thanks, Lisa

[kmarch]

The short answer is: It doesn't matter which node you cut above.

My last Phal I did this with had 3 nodes. I cut above the top one and it rebloomed there. After that spike was done, I cut it back to above the second node and it then bloomed off both the other 2 nodes at the same time. After those 2 spikes faded, there were no more nodes and so I cut the spike off.

I have heard you should not do this because forcing the plant ot bloom so many times like this will strain the plant. In my case I have no seen this. After the final blooming after I made the final cut, my plant cranked out a big new leaf in record time and is now growing some new roots.

If your plant does not want to rebloom again, the spike will dry up and die. Then you wait until next season for more blooms.

-Kevin

[tom499]

If its a good strong plant kmarch's then you can do that
If you feel it is putting a strain on the plant, or it does not look so well, cut the stem back to the base as close to the plant as possible and let it build itself back up.

Usually, the blooms after the 1st one, are not as good, usually less flowers.

[tamara]

After Phals finish blooming, I cut the spike back above the first node under the flowers to induce more blooming. Than (after second blooming) I usually cut the spike off. I think the plant doesn't look so good after first flowering.
I agree that blooms after the 1st one aren't as good.

[DDS2007]

con anybody plz elaborate what the first "node" is? is it where the first flower used to be , or the first "knuckle" counting from the bottom of the plant upwards?

[mayres]

The most typical place people initially cut their spike if they are hoping for additional blooms is just above the first "knuckle" or node nearest the first flower that would have opened on the initial spike. Some say that cutting the spike nearest the base of the plant is more likely to induce a keiki, though I have no experience in this myself.

[kmarch]

DDS,

There's an explanation of what the nodes are and where they are on this thread.

-Kevin