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01-31-2008, 12:45 AM
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| What To Do? Most of you know that I have a noid phal. It has been in bloom off and on for about 6 mos, now. The problem I have is the floresence has branched so many times (3) that is unsightly. AND, it looks like it is branching again at the end of the spike thats in bloom now. It has a new spike that will be blooming in a month or so. Can I cut the old one after the blooms fade just because its ugly? It has new roots but no new leaves. I bet it's really tired after blooming for so long, too.
__________________ "learn from yesterday...live for today...hope for tomorrow" Debbie      |
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01-31-2008, 10:39 AM
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| Absolutely - a common practice is to cut the spikes off at the base to encourage the plant to regain its vigor. Many (including myself) also choose to cut the original spike off at the base after flowering instead of allowing subspikes - for two reasons - aesthetically subspikes are viewed as unsightly and by directing the plants energy into rebuilding roots and leaves for next season's blooms they will be bigger and better. Occasionally there will be conditions and genetics that create plant(s) that seem to continue to BOTH bloom and grow seemingly indefinately - but this is not the norm for most of us. The norm is to grow the size and vigor of the plant leaves and root system a little bigger each year - and with each blooming season to have larger and eventually more new spikes. Good luck - enjoy! |
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01-31-2008, 01:04 PM
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| I agree with Mike. I would rather have one large, healthy spike then a lot of small sub-standard flowers through out the year. Some growers believe that if the plant is blooming it has the energy to do so and we should not intervene. I have a few 'Brother' varieties and some of them will grow roots, leaves and flowers at the same time with all being healthy looking. In this case I never allow subspikes; I love raising the roots and leaves as well. In any event it sounds like you are doing SOMETHING right and your phal likes you.
__________________ "If Nothing Ever Changed, We Wouldn't Have Butterflies." |
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01-31-2008, 02:05 PM
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| Great. That makes me feel better about cutting the old spike.
__________________ "learn from yesterday...live for today...hope for tomorrow" Debbie |
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01-31-2008, 03:28 PM
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| Quote:
 I'm not quite sure I understood what you wrote but I read it to mean that you've got another seperate spike growing?....which is great and not terrible if you don't, especially after all the blooms you've gotten from this Phal. You're right, it's probably very tired by now and reviving it by cutting this spike will benefit the plant. I'll usually cut the spike down a node or two after the blooms have gone, hoping to get a kieki and I'll only do this no later than the end of summer...enough time to give it a repot and rest before spiking season begins again.Last edited by sandra; 01-31-2008 at 03:31 PM. |
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01-31-2008, 04:58 PM
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| Yes, Sandra, thats exactlly right. The new spike is about 8" to 10" long and the buds are just now forming. The old spike has branched and bloomed 3 times after the original blooming period. So, that means it's bloomed 4 times, in the 2 years that I have had it, on the same spike. If it keeps doing that it will form a complete circle or curley Q, whatever.
__________________ "learn from yesterday...live for today...hope for tomorrow" Debbie |
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01-31-2008, 06:40 PM
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| Oh Debbie, I wish I had your problems! I haven't had any orchids long enough! The advice makes sense, tho- Good luck! BTW- I love your ever-changing "kitty" avatars!
__________________ Patti  |
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01-31-2008, 07:18 PM
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| Gotta love those noid phals! Never, ever question success.
__________________ "If Nothing Ever Changed, We Wouldn't Have Butterflies." |
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