To snip or not to snip phal orchid old spike?

[jai_star]

These spike on this Phal has been cut back for several months now and so far it has produced a new leaf and new roots the spikes however has done zilch . Now should I give up on the face that it will produce secondary spikes and just snip them back to put energy back into the plants or shall i keep holding my breathe? What do you all think?

[Halloamey]

I never encourage secondary spikes, I always cut it back to the base, when the plant is ready it puts up a new spike, and new spikes always bloom better than secondary spikes, so I would suggest snip it off !

[jai_star]

I have never had much luck producing secondary spikes so in my case they should all come off , I guess it's becasue I still have not managed to get any new spikes from Phals so hesitant to snip anything off , I can get Cymbidium , Dendrobium , Epidendrum to rebloom just not Phals and they are my fav!!Grrr

[jai_star]

Also I may try this experiment of placing the spikes in a glass of water and that it will form keikis don't think it based on any fact but it's worth a try

[tucker85]

I think it's completely up to you. If you want to leave them in place it won't harm the orchid. If you want to cut them off at the base, to make the plant look a little neater, that's fine too. The stems themselves won't take any energy from the plant unless they start a secondary spike.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I never encourage secondary spikes, I always cut it back to the base, when the plant is ready it puts up a new spike, and new spikes always bloom better than secondary spikes, so I would suggest snip it off !

I completely agree. The plant will be stronger, and the blooms better.

cheers,
BD

[nyortiga]

Here is picture of my phal with secondary spike. I was hesitant to cut the primary one it being so green, and now it produced a secondary. I'm so unsuccessful with blooming phals, so dont mind seeing this second one come through rather than see none at all..

[jai_star]

The side spike will give you blooms in a few months. You can trim the top part back if you think the stem is too long and unslightly now that it has a side spike.

[nyortiga]

Oh yes will do! Thanks!!

[shirleycox]

Yes, cutting the spike at this spot can bring on gorgeous new flowers, but it also saps energy from the rest of the plant’s growth. Orchids have to work hard to bloom for you, so sometimes you want to give them a little rest!

---------- Post added at 01:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 AM ----------

Yes, cutting the spike at this spot can bring on gorgeous new flowers, but it also saps energy from the rest of the plant’s growth. Orchids have to work hard to bloom for you, so sometimes you want to give them a little rest!