single spike or double spike

[arthurbeliisario]

Why do some phalaenopsis in pictures that I see over the internet have only a single spike while others have double or even triple spikes? Does a single spike mean that the plant is less healthy as compared to a double spike or that's just the way the individual plant is?

[tucker85]

There are a few things that come into play. Some species and crosses have a natural tendancy to produce multiple spikes. Others have a tendancy to have only a single spike. Also well established older and larger plants can often produce more spikes but some just produce bigger flowers and longer spikes and not multiple spikes. Lastly there are some small phal species like violacea or bellina that can bloom from old spikes for several years while producing new spikes also.

[opaline]

A single spike does not reflect poor health on the plant. Many hybrids of Phals as with other plants are crossed taking the strongest qualities/ strengths of the species plants, primary hybrids etc. The results vary but for a simple summary a plant that likes cooler can be crossed with a plant which has warmer requirements and the objective is to produce a plant that lies in between thus our growing environments become slightly more/ widely accomodating. Thats just a snippet and much more detail ,info/ factors/ reasons exist. I cannot begin to provide/ elaborate as my knowledge is not great/ sufficient enough. In addition a plant/s selected for improvement in its growth rate or be miniaturized or bloom improvements can be attempted to redesign genetics so this can be obtained. Flower shape, pattern. colour and fragrance are all relevant factors.

Many of the commercially mass produced widely available phals can easily compromise 1 lead (single) crown plant as they can also be easily 2 crown leads. Obviously the plant s that have flourished in cultivation for varying factors like nutrition, light, warmth, temp, humidity and parentage and have 2 crown leads improves its chance at increased number of spikes.

Just in comparison a single crown lead that has produced more than 1 spike can be exhausting for the plant.
Hope it makes some sought of sense!

This was posted same time as Jeffs reply and the maturity of plant also increases chance of spike numbers like jeff said