Royal Blue Hybrid Phal - Orchid Board

JessicaR · #1 06-25-2011, 05:32 PM

I have a royal blue Phal. There are 2 flower spikes. Each 14 inches high. Then the spikes turns DOWNWARD for an additiomal 10 inches on which there are the gorgous blue flowers. I have enjoyed these flowers for 2 months and now they are starting to wilt and soon will fall off. WHERE do I cut them as they are so tall and long. I've read that you cut till the third node back from the last flower. Or cut them off at the bottom of the spike. One way they will rebloom and the second way they will have a rest and grow new leaves. They are already growing new leaves. What do I do? Jessica

fishmommy · #2 06-25-2011, 06:17 PM

are the flowers really big and bright royal blue?

personally I don't ever cut spikes because sometimes they bloom again from the ends. It sounds like these may be on their second blooming already if the spikes sort of change direction.

you are correct that cutting at the base will give the plant a rest to grow stronger leaves.

PaphMadMan · #3 06-25-2011, 07:48 PM

Cut just above the highest node on the spike that didn't have a flower. This will leave you with the maximum number of nodes that might branch and flower again. You might want to wait for a few weeks after the last flowers fade though. As fishmommy said, sometimes you do get more flowers at the end of the spike. As long as they are growing new leaves there is never any need to give a mature plant a 'rest'.

Just be aware that the hideous blue color is from an artificial dye that is injected in the spike. Eventually the dye will fade from the plant and you will have a natural but generic plain white Phal with no name.

jrhennek · #4 06-25-2011, 07:48 PM

If this is the same phal that I have seen, it is not a trure blue flower. It was developed over in Europe where they added a dye to the plants. Wheen this plant reblooms it will be a white flower.

Gin · #5 06-25-2011, 08:14 PM

Not all things are loved by everyone . Gin

justatypn · #6 06-25-2011, 10:02 PM

A few months back saw these on our plant tables at THD, I was very surprised that a nursery would inject a dye to increase sales knowing full well they will never rebloom the likes of the purchasing day. They are extremely attractive don't' get me wrong but a dye, still shaking my head over this one. Humm Europe you say!

Brotherly Monkey · #7 06-25-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justatypn

A few months back saw these on our plant tables at THD, I was very surprised that a nursery would inject a dye to increase sales knowing full well they will never rebloom the likes of the purchasing day. They are extremely attractive don't' get me wrong but a dye, still shaking my head over this one. Humm Europe you say!

most phals never even last long enough to rebloom. Most treat them like a flower bouquet

pedidiva · #8 06-26-2011, 02:09 PM

I've had some that rebloom. You can wait to cut the stem or not, it's your choice. JRutter, I would advise repotting--many times the phals that I have bought are in spaghum moss that is really tight around the roots.

With the next rebloom, the white-flowered phals are truly elegant. I'm sure that you will be pleased.

There is a thread above ^ called "The phal abuse ends here"--it's very good. Also the American Orchid Societ has a nice care sheet--you can google it. I would also advise some literature to help you on your Orchid journey.

Good luck~~
Pedi

pedidiva · #9 06-26-2011, 02:11 PM

Also JRutter, I bet there is a local orchid socity nearby. You can learn oodles of good stuff there. Up here in the TX Panhandle there is no orchid society

Brotherly Monkey · #10 06-26-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedidiva

I've had some that rebloom. You can wait to cut the stem or not, it's your choice. JRutter, I would advise repotting--many times the phals that I have bought are in spaghum moss that is really tight around the roots.

With the next rebloom, the white-flowered phals are truly elegant. I'm sure that you will be pleased.

There is a thread above ^ called "The phal abuse ends here"--it's very good. Also the American Orchid Societ has a nice care sheet--you can google it. I would also advise some literature to help you on your Orchid journey.

Good luck~~
Pedi

No, I'm talking about receiving adequate enough care to survive to the next instance of flowering on a new spike. It seems most are thrown out as soon as they lose their blooms