Flowers Beginning to Fade

[benisjamin217]

As some of you know, I recently bought a Phalaenopsis amabilis. It has 16 flowers on two flower spikes. About half of the flowers are fading and getting ready to fall off. The dorsal sepals on these flowers began to wilt, then the other sepals followed. What do I do with these flowers? Should I force my phal to rebloom after it's done?

Edit: the 6 flowers that bloomed while I have had it aren't wilting.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I wouldn't force anything to flower.

It's like if you were a really good dancer and I liked one of your performances. I liked it so much I want you to keep dancing. You wouldn't be able to rest until I told you you could and there's no way out of it. Even after you're tired I still liked the last performance, and I want you to keep going. In fact, I'd go so far as to grab a pistol and shoot the ground you stood on just to make you dance if you ever tried to stop. And you couldn't go anywhere because I've got my biggest and meanest bodyguards to keep you from attacking me and to keep you from leaving. Then when you're so exhausted you can't dance anymore, I give you the boot, and say, "You're done!" Sending you flying through the doors.

Needless to say, I don't think you'd like that would you?

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I wouldn't force anything to flower.

It's like if you were a really good dancer and I liked one of your performances. I liked it so much I want you to keep dancing. You wouldn't be able to rest until I told you you could and there's no way out of it. Even after you're tired I still liked the last performance, and I want you to keep going. In fact, I'd go so far as to grab a pistol and shoot the ground you stood on just to make you dance if you ever tried to stop. And you couldn't go anywhere because I've got my biggest and meanest bodyguards to keep you from attacking me and to keep you from leaving. Then when you're so exhausted you can't dance anymore, I give you the boot, and say, "You're done!" Sending you flying through the doors.

Needless to say, I don't think you'd like that would you?

Wow! That's a graphic comparison. I love it. It's true too. Everything needs a rest now and then. I'm also not opposed to removing a fresh spike from a struggling to survive plant either. Better to save the plant than to see it produce it's final bloom.

[trdyl]

King is right. Forcing is generally a bad thing. Everyting needs its rest from time to time.

[RosieC]

I agree, don't force it.

I like the advice Ray gives on his website.

Spike Cutting

[orchidsamore]

There is nothing that will force a Phal to re-flower. All you wil do is weaken the plant.

[benisjamin217]

I won't force it guys, thanks. Btw, nice metaphor King. Very poetic. What do I do with the flowers though?

[Hedge]

Wait till they have all fallen off then cut the spike off and treat the cut with ground cinnamon if the stem is green. if you are not going to persuade it to reflower from the same spike, this should send it into a growth period and in about three to six months it may flower again - depends on other factors such as night to day temperature change and day length

[benisjamin217]

thanks hedge.