Steve and Kenni,
Thanks for the advice. I will then let the spike proceed while being watched
carefully.
Joanna

"Kenni Judd" wrote in message
...
Joanna: I'd probably let it proceed, for now, but try to keep a close
watch so that if it shows any sign of further decline, you can either cut
the spike again, or, if it's gotten far enough along, cut the flowers/buds
and use the keiki paste on a lower node. Kenni

"J Fortuna" wrote in message
news:2ZTAf.5095$Le2.710@trnddc04...
What should I do? I have a Phal that has only two leaves, and has not
grown any new ones in a while. The two remaining leaves are healthy
enough, and it's root system seems to be good enough as far as I can
tell, but still it's not one of my thriving ones for sure. This is the
third time in a row that this Phal has put out a spike. I cut off the
spike the last two times, trying to get it to concentrate on leaf growth
instead. But now it has put out a spike for the third time, and I am
beginning to question my own judgement.

Since the orchid seems to 'insist' upon spiking, should I let it spike
after all?

Should I try the keiki-grow paste? I bought this paste to apply to
another plant but wound up not using it on that one, since the spike was
very spindly and I did not see how I could strip a node effectively, even
if it had had a node that did not have a bud growing out of it (which it
did not).

What would you do if it were your Phal?

Thanks for advice!

Joanna