When do I cut my stem or do I?

[catanisiancestry]

Hi,

I have a Phal orchid (Dtps Talsuo Firebird). The flowers fell off about 2 months ago. Do I cut my spike. The orchid spike is pretty big and there is another spike on the top of the spike that had flowers too.

Do I cut it and how should I cut it?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[mayres]

How and when to cut the spike is somewhat subjective and you will get many different suggestions based on everyone's personal bias. Some would suggest cutting back to just above the first node with hope of yet another subspike emerging from the spike. If it did, it would probably have fewer and slightly smaller flowers than the original. Some would suggest you leave it as it currently is until it turns yellow and then remove at the base. My suggestion is that you cut it down at the base now and let the plant re-energize its roots and leaves for another spike that should naturally emerge from the base area of the plant in late fall or early winter as the temperature differential increases between night and day. The majority (not all) phals spike about this time and then follow up with blooming in later winter/early spring and last for three months or longer. People concerned about transferring plant virus to your plant (especially those with large numbers of plants - more potential of transferring disease from plant to plant) will suggest you use a sterile tool to cut off the spike. I use a small pair of dikes used for cutting small wire to get a nice clean cut close to the base. Good luck.

[Tobi]

I agree with Mike on this one. My first Phal that I owned I cut the spike off
from the last node above the flowers and yes it did bloom again shortly after
that, but I didn't get another flower spike for almost 3 years after that. The
plant really needs that rest period and I found that by giving it that I was
rewarded with gorgeous blooms the next year.

[prisana]

Agree with Mike and Tobi..only a few more months and you'll have a whole new spike with lots of flowers.

[fred]

Hi and welcome to the forum

I hope that you enjoy your stay here with us

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happy chatting