molli wrote:

I've had a Baldans Kaleidoscope in bloom for nine months now. I had cut the
original spikes to have them rebloom, which they did, and then it sent out
two NEW spikes also. Now one of the original is branching yet again all on
its own. Plant looks good, 6 firm leaves, good roots. Is it ok to let it
keep blooming its little heart out? or should I cut the spikes and rest it?
My other Kaleidoscope that I was 'resting' is sending out new spikes
too.....it rested for about 5 weeks before it started sending up a new
spike. I don't want to kill them!


Now that is just bragging... *grin* Actually Baldans Kaleidoscope is
one of the most vigorous phals I know, but it sounds like you are having
better luck with it than many people. I don't grow it, but I have seen
some massively bloomed ones at shows. The only way to really know if
you are overstressing the plant is to examine the growth. Are the
newest mature leaves smaller than the older leaves? If so, the plant is
declining. Same size or slightly bigger, no problems. If the plant can
support that level of bloom, then no reason not to let it.

I find that on some phals (Ok, I have three... Not really my thing. But
I used to have more) the reblooming habit can be kind of annoying. If
it reblooms too many times on the same spike, they get really leggy and
not particularly attractive. At some point you have to cut them all the
way back so that you get some nice new spikes. I'd cut all of mine back
every time (rather than trying for secondary blooming), but I'm too
lazy. I usually just let any spike stay on until it is brown and I can
snap it off. Two of my phals are starting to rebloom on last years
spikes (but I don't see any new ones), so I guess I missed the window.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit