Reflowering an old Phal spike

[butt0n]

Its been a while since I had a phal in spike and couldn't remember where to cut the spike to get it to re-bud...any thoughts?

[kid a]

cut it just in between nodes in the good area below the dried or spent part

[dipasquo]

If the Phal spike has a nice looking "mitten" on the end and the last flowers just dropped, you might just wait to see if the existing spike puts out any new buds. Sometimes my Phals will initiate new growth off the end of an existing spike after the flowers drop; or the spike will die back on its own to a node and then a secondary spike willl start from there. I prefer this method to cutting back to node X.

[kid a]

oh yeah, I forgot about that, lol!

[butt0n]

Originally Posted by kid a

cut it just in between nodes in the good area below the dried or spent part

How far from the node should I cut? That seems to be one of my main questions...

[dipasquo]

Someone else might have a more specific answer, but if you are going to cut back then I suggest you cut halfway between the highest two nodes that hadn't previously produced a flower. The exact measure is not important since if your Phals behave how mine do (and if you are lucky enough for it to put out a secondary spike) then the very top will die back to the node before putting out a secondary spike.

[mehitabel]

I would cut it close to, but above the next unflowered node. Be sure to not cut into the node, as that's the place your branch will come from, if it does decide to branch..