Phalaenopsis - spike & stop

[nautilus]

Hi, I need help with my phal. It grew a spike about 6" long then stop to grow leafs, vigorously. The leaf span doubled it sized in the past two months while the flower spike totally stop.

Can anyone tell me what happened? How can I get them to flower?

Thanks

Somphon

[jenn]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
I have had two Phals do this after I moved. In my situation, the spikes continued after a while but did not bloom with many flowers. I chalked it up to the stress of my move, but I don't really know why.

[nautilus]

Thanks Jenn. I see the tip of the spike browned and dried. Just the tip. The spike seems very healthy. Is there a way I can cut the tip and encourage it to grow another spike.

Some asked if there is another node. The problem is, I don't know what a node looks like. This is my only phalaenopsis.

Thanks for any help.

Somphon-

[Piper]

Hi Somphon and welcome!

If an orchid is healthy when it flowers, the plant has no trouble supporting the flowers (that is, it provides the extra water, engery and nutrients the flower requires.)

If the plant is struggling, it may change its mind and abort the spike. This often happens. If a plant isn't getting enough water, for instance, it will stop developing buds along a spike.

My guess is that after it started the flower spike, your phal decided it needed new leaves more than it needed to flower. I'd trust the plant's judgement and cut the spike. This will let the plant grow stronger before it tries to rebloom next time (6-12 months from now). You don't want to force the flowers at the sake of the plant's health.

If you really want to try and get a bloom, the best way is to cut the spike below the first bud, and above the highest non-bud bract, or node. The bracts (or nodes) are those segmented 'joints' you'll see running up the spike. There are usually several from the base up, before you get to the buds.

This doesn't guarantee that the plant will re-initiate spike growth, even on a happy plant.

Good luck!
Julie