Phal Spike Cutting

[Tobi]

For all you expert Phal growers. I've always wondered if it's better to cut
an after flowering Phal spike when it turns brown or can you cut it right after
it flowers when it's still green. I know with other flowering plants you like to
wait for awhile before cutting the dead flower stalk back to ensure the plant's energy storage.

[tom499]

meh, I just cut it off straight away, takes a fair amount of cohesion-tension and root pressure to get water up that spike, the earlier its gone the faster the plant can recover. There wont be much energy storage in the spike.

[mayres]

Another vote here for immediately after flowering. I actually cut off most of my remaining flower spikes the past few weeks that still had a few straggler flowers. This is the time of year I want my plants maximizing their rejuvination of roots and leaves. This is a general statement applying to most hybrids. On the other hand, I have a phal that continually sets groups of blooms at the tip of a non-branching spike. It keeps blooming and blooming and blooming and the spike just gets longer and longer - blooming for over a year now and another 2nd spike has just started. The leaves and roots just keep on like there are not flowers - growing and growing. Exception to the rule. Enjoy! mike

[Tobi]

Thanks Tom and Mike. That's what I thought. Do you usually repot afterwards?
I have 2 new leaves that have grown in the past month.

[mayres]

The need to repot is dependent upon the condition of the media. If it is not breaking down you may not need to. If it is getting soft and mushy then you can/should repot right away. I use a coir based mix that does not need to be replaced for 2-3 years assuming the plant has not outgrown the pot. If you are using a sphag based media then it is often repotted at least every year. So, it depends on what is being used. Bark based medias usually go at least two years or longer. Enjoy! mike