Shorter Spikes on Phals

[Sharyn]

I noticed that the spikes on a few of my phals that are now in bud are considerably shorter than last year. These are not warmer-growing phals, nor mini phals - they're the same phals and NOIDs as last year and their spikes are about 5-7 inches shorter than last year.

The plants are healthy, good roots, and same culture. Could it be the lighting? I shouldn't complain because they're in bud, but I also think that the flowers will be smaller as the buds also look smaller than last year.

Any comments?

[phalaephila]

Have the spikes finished growing? I know some of mine keep growing as buds develop, even after the first flowers open. Also, you asked about the lighting. Has some aspect of your lighting changed from last year? That could have an effect.

Jeanne

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Sharyn

I noticed that the spikes on a few of my phals that are now in bud are considerably shorter than last year. ... but I also think that the flowers will be smaller as the buds also look smaller than last year.

I think it could be a light thing. Is the light different this year than it was last year? On one of my Phals that rebloomed off an old spike, the inflorescence was shorter but the flowers were the same so your flowers may yet turn out the same.

[Sharyn]

The plants are in the same location but the light has been less than last year. I don't think I've seen the sun more than a few times since December. It's been constant gloom and doom skys and bitterly cold here for months.
Have ordered a couple lights to help.

[Tobi]

Sharyn,
The same thing is occuring with my Phal. that is in spike right now. Last year, it put
out 2 spikes with 8-10 buds on each. This year it's shorter and has from 6-8 buds from
what I can tell. Same location as last year. Only difference is as you stated alot less
sunshine here in the land of no sun and dark skies.

[janet_a]

it's global warming i tell you!! -jumping up and down-

[PhalPal]

I think it's called WINTER in the northeast.

[patlee]

Rub it in, why don't you, lol...

[PhalPal]

Patlee I can only make fun because most of my family is in Buffalo, NY. They haven't seen the sun in MONTHS. It has snowed or sleeted every single day since before Christmas. I would be curled up in the corner going out of my mind.

[Sharyn]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

It has snowed or sleeted every single day since before Christmas. I would be curled up in the corner going out of my mind.

I was so excited that the forcast predicted some sun would shine in another five days! Then, unfortunatly, the forcast was changed. Another week of doom and gloom ahead. It's below zero and feels like 100 below zero with the winds. Living near the windy city, the cold is always ten times worse with the gusty winds.

Ok, I'm off to jump off the edge of the planet now. I AM TOTALLY OUT OF MY MIND NOW.

[Hummer344]

I have similar weather as PhalPal. Don't know what I would do in: 1. the cold, & 2, the snow, & 3, no sunshine for weeks on end. Going crazy would be on the top of my list. Here we can garden year around. If I can't get out for a few days I start getting dizzy and not feeling well. LOL. My cyms are outside and blooming their heads off. On the nature front, the almonds are coming into bloom, the Acacia trees are completely yellow with flowers, the flowering plums are out and the daffy's are up. Now, aren't most of you more depressed then you were before you read this. LOL. OF course we won't talk about the price we pay for housing to live out here. LOL.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

One more item of info. Commercial growers often treat their plants with hormones to make the flower spikes just the way they want them, probably longer for some varieties, so that they can be trained high above the plant to cascade downward. Maybe your plants are just running out of the effects of what the grower did to them. I have differences in flower spike lengths on many of my non-Phals, but it is usually the opposite, with lower light making longer spikes/stems/scapes.

[PhalPal]

Hummer did you know that in New York they pay MUCH more then we do in property taxes??? Like 4%! That's $16,000/year on a $400K house. I would much rather put my money into a house that increases in value then $1,000 plus per month in utility bills.

I agree with you about being inside too long. I love the rain, but after two days I'm sick of it. Two Sundays ago we took our dogs up to the mountains an hour away to play in the snow. This past Sunday we took them to Dog Beach to play in the water. They have no idea how lucky they are, but I know how fortunate I am.

[Sharyn]

Thanks for that info Cynthia. It never occurred to me that hormones from the grower may have affected the spike length. Even though the spikes are shorter this year, most seem to be developing fine.