Cut Spike

[Pupka]

To me, it seems like it is going to rebloom, because from photo the very first node from the top seems to be in the developing stage, don't you think so? Keep an eye on it, I think it will get bigger with time.

[ladyslipper]

regarding cutting the spike after bloom, do we cut above or below the top node? I think i read that cinammon is a good disinfectent? is that right?

thanks - m

[dennis]

above then put a little cinnamon
on the cut

[cb977]

I finally got around to reading my April edition of Orchids Magazine from the AOS today and it's interesting that one story was on this particular subject

The article says that although most Phals will rebloom on the same stem, the blooms will most likely not be of the same quality as the first blooms were. The spike, whether in bloom or not, continues to sap strength from the plant. They suggest cutting back the stem to allow the plant to concentrate on producing another stem with blooms of the same high quality rather than allowing it to grow and probably getting an inferior bloom.

I have a few that have rebloomed and it's true...the second blooms are lacking. I will be cutting my spikes back when they're done...it'll be hard but I'll be brave and get it done

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by cb977

I finally got around to reading my April edition of Orchids Magazine from the AOS today and it's interesting that one story was on this particular subject

The article says that although most Phals will rebloom on the same stem, the blooms will most likely not be of the same quality as the first blooms were. The spike, whether in bloom or not, continues to sap strength from the plant. They suggest cutting back the stem to allow the plant to concentrate on producing another stem with blooms of the same high quality rather than allowing it to grow and probably getting an inferior bloom.

I have a few that have rebloomed and it's true...the second blooms are lacking. I will be cutting my spikes back when they're done...it'll be hard but I'll be brave and get it done

I agree! The second blooms are worse than the first ones. I'm going to cut spikes from now on.

[smartie2000]

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

regarding cutting the spike after bloom, do we cut above or below the top node? I think i read that cinammon is a good disinfectent? is that right?

thanks - m

Cut above the node and leave about an inch of stem above the node.
It won't bloom right away, but they usually will.
Some phals have spikes that want to dry up and not rebloom though. And if the spike hasn't started yellowing at the tip I wouldn't cut it at all.

[ladyslipper]

I am fairly sure this has been covered but forgive me I cannot find the info...if we are not encouraging a second bloom, how far back do we cut the stem on a Phal. How bout a paph? my joyce hasegawa is finishing its bloom and the last bloom is almost completely whithered. Where should I cut the stem back to on the paph?. Regards, m

[smartie2000]

For a phal, if it is started to yellow at the tip, I would cut it back to a inch above its first healthy node. This means cutting off all the places that it has already bloomed from. Usually the left over spike will then be a foot tall or more. If nothing as started withering I normally do not cut, unless the spike has sent so many blooms that it is too long.

For a paph you can cut the stem back all the way. They do not rebloom again on that growth, but on a new growth which it will send.

[Shadow]

If you don't want to encourage second flowering on the phal, cut the stem all way back. The paph won't bloom again on the same stem, so cut it all way back too.

[cb977]

After reading this thread and the Orchids Magazine article, I decided to cut a 28" stem from a Phal Maraldee Brother yesterday. I realized that this is a plant that's been struggling...and because of this thread, I decided to do something about it.
The plant I'm talking about got a blue ribbon at our show last year and then this year it got one bloom which was nothing to brag about , but it did have 2 additional growths along the spikes so I thought ...wrong!
It has now been cut back to nothing and we'll see what the next blooming season brings me