Phal NOID spiking on two old spikes but old spikes are half dead

[Jason-UK]

Hi all,
I have a Noid Phal which has dropped nearly all its old blooms barr two on ecah which im expecting to drop any second but has started to grow three new spikes off the old stems. Trouble i have is old stems are almost half dead (Halfway down from the top of the stems to a node) the bottom half looks like it always has. So do you think these spikes will get a chance to make blooms or should i just cut the stems of now.
Has anyone else had this happen before or should i be looking for a cause rather than a cure.

[uffe3667]

Hi Jason;
it sound like a perfectly normal re-growing spike from an existing old spike.
Usually when leaving a spike that has dropped its flowers, there is a good chance it will grow a new spike from one of the lower nodes.
Often the original spike will die down up-to the node that is growing the new spike.
This died down part can be cut of.
Good luck with your new (Sub) spikes
Erik

[Jason-UK]

Thank you Erik,
I have so much trouble with Phals that I made the decision to not get anymore. I have just about managed to get some life back into the three minitures i have by mounting them t get better control of there watering for now. I'm in the process of reviving another large one and the one this post is about also gave me some initial trouble but thankfully its getting on marvelous. When i got them all from the same place I had a terrible repotting session where they ended up with around four roots each (buried wooden roots and no signs of care from the initial grower). I initially thought it was all down to me be but was later assured of a 90% chance it was down to there initial condition when bought.
So whenever i spot the slightest thing with my Phals im like a father whose baby has its first heat rash.

Once again thank you so much for your reply

[espranch]

Jason, I've has problems with phals. also...and I've been growing orchids on & off for over 45 yrs. If the plant you're speaking of were mine, I would cut off the dead top part of the spike, and "let it do it's thing!" Usually when a very healthy phal. is finished blooming for me, I cut off the spike about three or four of nodes above the place where the plant & spike meet. I then put a little sulphur on the cut. Then I put the phal in it's usual place & WAIT! Behold...in two weeks or less, more flowers start to develop. This should ONLY BE DONE ON healthy phals. Good Luck...Betty

[Jason-UK]

Thank you Betty,
I have cut down the spikes now to the point where the 3 new spikes are developing. Hopefully i will get more flowers on it soon.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Good luck with this orchid, Jason! Hoping for the best!!

cheers,
BD

[Jason-UK]

Thanks Bruce,
It seems to be coming along just fine.