Lots more spikes, but smaller flowers?
 

One of my phals has put up double branching spikes this time-(last year it put up one non branching spike) and it's just beginning to bloom. I have noticed that the size of the flowers are smaller than they were the last flowering. This phal also has a basal keiki, and appears super healthy. I'm curious as to why the flowers would be smaller? One thought is that because the plant is putting so much energy into 2 multi-branched spikes, and is supporting a basal keiki as well, this could be the cause? Don't get me wrong-I'm NOT complaining! It's a gorgeous plant..:lol:

And I'm wondering, do flowers grow in size at all once they've opened up? These open flowers are clearly smaller, and I wonder if it has to do with the change in culture. Last year I had maybe six of my phalaenopsis Spike and Bloom, and this year I have more than three times that, (so far only on the first one to begin blooming) but the flowers thus far are definitely smaller than usual. The change in culture would be in addition to the weekly feeding of MSU, I've added kelp Max and epsom salts. Any takers on this one?

---------- Post added at 12:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 AM ----------

I'm hoping that Ray will chime in here, but it feels to me or seems to me like it's the Kelp Max that gave me such a huge success with spiking this year. I know he says that it's for root growth, which I don't doubt, but I also have to wonder if it does considerably more than that.

While the root-stimulating aspect of KelpMax is the most broadly utilized, the total chemistry of the stuff does much more.

I cannot say whether one of those is the initiation of more spikes - and frankly, I doubt it - but a healthier plant can certainly explain it.

What would cause smaller flowers this time around?

I think you said it. My one that's branching for the first time this year also has smaller blooms. That is what I thought was because of the branching that the blooms are smaller. The first time I got it to bloom the spike was about 2 foot long. The next time not as long and this time it's much shorter but very branched.

Hmm. My spikes are doubled very branched and much longer, lots of buds but again smaller flowers. So this is the second of numerous phalaenops that are in the beginning stages of blooming so I'll be watching to see about the others. I have a mini phal that bloomed first and it is the picture of perfection. Numerous flowers good size, nice Arch. This should be interesting.

There are many things that can affect flower size - overall vitality of the plant, and cultural conditions to name two.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too Ray. After this blooming is done at least with this particular plant, I'm going to change up what I give them and see what happens with the next blooming.

The same thing is happening to me as to greenpassion and I have done the same. I have many spikes with branches and the two that have started to open are small flowers. This worries me, I think it may be the culture change because now they are out, anyway, for the moment, I will suppress everything and water only with water for reverse osmosis to those in bloom.

I was thinking of doing that too merita, but I'm thinking that if it's gotten to the point where their budding and blooming that I would try the change once this flowering has gone by. My feeling is at this point to change the culture or what we feed them is it's not going to make things turn around that quickly.