Phal's Double bloom spikes - question

[quietmorning]

My daughter sent me a Phal for mother's day. I was looking at the web site where she purchased it, and they sold phal's with one bloom spike, two, or multiple - excuse me while I show my ignorance. . .is this a species type or do all phals grow more than one spike eventually?

I've never owned an orchid long enough and was successful enough to get more than one spike to grow - so is this care. . .age. . .type?

Thanks!

[Pilot]

quietmorning--

Good question-- one I'd like to know too. I have two phals that have two spikes. And it seems the plants grow one spike then slow down to grow the other one. They keep doing this-- despite not being the healthiest of plants (they're being "saved" from maltreatment). My largest, healthiest phal has only one mature spike and two nubs that I hope will eventually become spikes. For now, the mature spike just keeps on growing.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You're not alone with not growing a Phalaenopsis orchid for very long. Fortunately many people have had much more success with a close relative, Sedirea japonica.

From what I've seen from a Sedirea japonica I used to own, the number of spikes on a plant is dependant on a few things.

1. Size: if it just barely made blooming size it's not going to put out many spikes.

2. Age: kinda goes with the above.

3. Species or type: some species or some hybrids put out more spikes than others.

4. Vitality: self explanatory.

5. Care: the better the care, the stronger the plant.

There's really no one factor that produces more spikes on a plant.

[RosieC]

I've seen a lot of 'big box' stores and the nursaries which supply them just labeling their orchids as 'one spike' or 'two spike'. It's basically just that they can charge more for the 'two spike' ones.

As King has said how many spikes you get depends on size & health of the plant, with some species being more prone to it.

Most of the ones I have bought had two spikes when I bought them and only one since then... but one of them which is looking really big and healthy has this year put up two for the first time since I bought it, so I'm really pleased and can't wait for them to open.

[camille1585]

I agree with what's been said so far. I have one phal that has put out 2 spikes for the 2nd year in a row, while the others seem happy with 1. Another I bought with 2 spikes, but in the 2 years I've had it, it only made one spike at a time.
In any case, I'm just happy if I get a spike on a plant. A second spike is just a bonus for me!

[quietmorning]

Thanks everyone! Now I'm in the 'knows'. **chuckles**

Being a newbie is so much fun! Heh.

[rogerman]

I'm not too much in the know with Phals. My Phals are basically living in their native environment, except they are in pots. I do know, however that when they reach blooming size, they will only put out one spike..... I have thirty of those and 6 big ones. One of my big ones has been constantly flowering for nearly a year now, but the flower quality is slowly going down as new ones pop open.

I'm just waiting for my seedlings to get to the flowering stage, and then i'll have over 250 Phal flowers to look at

[Louder Than Hell]

I've been told growing phals with an high minimum temperature like 82° dont allow them to start bloom so whenever you put them back to normal temperatures they usually send out many spikes. A 3 years wait may lead to 5 spikes

[RosieC]

I've heard that comercial growers with grow them in warm conditions, then a few weeks before they are going for sale put them in colder conditions which caused them to spike.

This forced growth in the warmth, followed by forced spiking in the cold probably prompts a higher chance of multiple spikes.

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I've heard that comercial growers with grow them in warm conditions, then a few weeks before they are going for sale put them in colder conditions which caused them to spike.

This forced growth in the warmth, followed by forced spiking in the cold probably prompts a higher chance of multiple spikes.

Does forcing the blooms in this way cause harm to the plant?