Should I cut my NoID's spikes?

[Phal Gal]

Hello!

I have a couple of rescue NoIDs from Wal-Mart, and their spikes are dead, and one is dying.

Should I cut them off?

[jai_star]

Yes and let the Phal rest and bloom next season but continue to feed and talk to them

[camille1585]

If the stems are yellowing, then yes, you can cut them off. If they are still green then it's a matter of personal preference. Some people cut them off, some people wait to see if they'll do anything else, which they sometimes do.

[Slobo]

I agree with Camille, I wouldn't cut it until it changes colour completely.

Slobo

[Phal Gal]

Thank you! I really, REALLY appreciate all your help.
And Jai Star...I swear....talking to them WORKS!

Two are dead, one is yellowing from the top down. I have a weird instinct that they need lots and lots of rest. The Wal-Mart here is pretty hard on their plants. Works out well for us greenthumbs though!

I haven't given them any "food" but I do mist them daily, and soak them for 15 min once a week. One's looking pretty good, and the other looks like it might pull through. I actually have better luck with the plants that I don't fertillize.

Is blooming season generally in the spring?

[jai_star]

Well a little food is good for the Phals why don't you try in on some of your Phals it is a good habit to get into feeding them they are hungry little things just dilute the feed right down with water. Now in terms of blooming they generally bloom once a year ( if they have been happy and got all they needed ) so if they just finished blooming they will bloom again in 6 months or so that is why its crucial to allow them to rest and build up energy for the nxt bloom. Usually in the fall they will start spiking but some hybrids may be summer bloomers

[Phal Gal]

Thanks.

I have looked around town, and all that is available is Dr. Shultz Orchid Fertillizer....That should be sufficient?

Six months? Oh that's too far away. I can't wait that long....haha!!

[jai_star]

If its an orchid fertiliser it should be suffice , however there are different sorts of fertilisers that are for the blooming period that will make the blooms more bigger etc.. But if the Phals are out of bloom then just a general fertiliser to help with leaf and root growth. Yes orchids do test your patience try to enjoy them for their foliage

[Slobo]

Pal Gal,

At the moment I'm using Schultz's Orchid Fert. I want to stop using it as it contains urea. So this morning I ordered MSU fertilizer from Tropical Gardens in Ontario. This fertilizer doesn't contain any urea.

Slobo

[james mickelso]

Urea based fertilizers work just as well as ammonia based fertilizers as long as you understand that the urea works at temps above 60*f becausen the aerobic bacteria only start working above that temp. They break down the urea into nitrate and then nitrite components which the plant can use. The urea isn't bad for the orchid but need soil bacteria to break it down. Whatever works for you in your area is all that matters. I'm glad to hear people are rescuing those forgotten orchid souls from Home Depot and the like. They deserve better. As for the spikes, I would cut them off and let the plants recoup some of their former vigor. Flowering next season (august or sept) will be better.