Tom Church on mon 26 nov 01

That is quite normal for Phals. Many people cut the
bloom spike back to a node expecting it to do just
what yours did.

Tom Church
(who lost about 150 orchids to a freeze last winter)
Wesley Chapel, FL
--- mackthek wrote:
__________________________________________________

mackthek on mon 26 nov 01

I have three phalenopsis orchids, all of which are quite large. They =
bloomed very well this year, from about March to August before dying =
back. This year though, on two of the plants, the flowering spike didn't =
die back completely, only 1/4 on one plant and maybe 1/3 on the other. =
Usually I would have cut it right back, but I didn't this year. At any =
rate, both spikes on both plants seem to be growing new flowering buds =
out of the old spike. Should I be concerned about this? Should I cut =
them right back and wait for them to send up a new spike? (My =
inclination is to let them alone, but curiosity killed that darn cat.) =
Kind of a silly question, but I know zippo about orchids.

Thanks
Michael

Barbara Martin on mon 26 nov 01

I think this is normal for a healthy plant with some size to it. Enjoy!
Barbara M. Martin
Now at Cottage Garden: "Bulbs of Afghanistan"
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/cottage_gardening/85113
Current Mid-Atlantic Garden Report: "Tulipomania Hits Home"
http://nationalgardening.com/regional/report.taf?regionid=13
Co-Owner, Gardens List http://www.scin.quik.com/dorsettm/notes.html
I have three phalenopsis orchids, all of which are quite large. They bloomed
very well this year, from about March to August before dying back. This year
though, on two of the plants, the flowering spike didn't die back
completely, only 1/4 on one plant and maybe 1/3 on the other. Usually I
would have cut it right back, but I didn't this year. At any rate, both
spikes on both plants seem to be growing new flowering buds out of the old
spike. Should I be concerned about this? Should I cut them right back and
wait for them to send up a new spike? (My inclination is to let them alone,
but curiosity killed that darn cat.) Kind of a silly question, but I know
zippo about orchids.

Thanks
Michael