Can you bloom a phrag besseae to death?
 

I have a single fan besseae (bleeding heart x colossal). It appears very healthy, and is on its fourth bloom from spike. It seems to me that the flowers are getting progressively smaller with each new bloom. Is this normal, or the sign of the plant suffering a little? I'd much rather cut off the spike now in order to ensure vigorous growth in the long term, but don't know if it would make it a difference.

Thanks

Will

edited as I can't spell

i think its normal for them to get slightly smaller as the bloom spike progresses....not to worry, just keep the plant healthy and let it bloom as nature intended....i had a sorcerers apprentice cross that had a total of 42 blooms over a period of 7 or more months....no harm to the plant....gl

they get smaller and smaller till the last one really is intense and cool looking about the size of a quarter , but thats what they do :)...the spike on mine has been blooming since april and on bloom #4 or #5..long way to get to 42 and with a 4ft long spike already i will have to go next door to see it ;)

I have only one besseae hybrid, Phrag. Sergeant Eric, and I've had it for two years now. I won it at our local Orchid Society auction with one last bud to open and it was my very first Phrag. Since I've had it, it has almost always been in bloom. It takes a brief rest about every six months and goes right back to spike and bloom. The rest of my Phrags only bloom by their growth cycles which can be quite variable, in my experience.

thanks everyone!

What other Phrags do you have ? What is the bloom cycle of the phrags you do own ? I'm always trying to find out when other people's Phrags bloom .......

Hey Will, I have the same besseae cross. Old previously flowered growth with 3 small new shoots here, no flowers for me yet. It was just repotted, so I expect it will be a little while before it does. Do you have any pics of the flowers?

I only have 7 not counting divisions and I'm just going into my 2nd year growing these beauties.

Phrag. Giganteum- In spike now and a first time bloomer for me.
Phrag. Paul Eugene Conroy- Bloomed last November, also a first time bloomer.
Phrag. pearcei- Bloomed 4/10, 1/11 and is in spike now.
Phrag. Rosy Charm- NBS
Phrag. Sergeant Eric- See my previous comment.
Phrag. Wossner Super Grande- BS and should bloom very soon.
Phrag. Tall Tails 'Gerkhe Tower'- NBS

Will, I think you're phrag is suffering, I believe it's likey whinding down from the blooming period.
Just get the new growths (fans) large & healthy for the future blooms.

:D

Oscarman, here are some photos. I moved it into S/H about 2 months ago, it seems to like it there.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...s/IMG_8111.JPG

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...s/IMG_8110.JPG

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...s/IMG_8109.JPG