I've heard several theories, the one that makes most sense to me is that the
plants are held back from blooming (usually through temperature control) for
a year or two past maturity, then pushed. Similar in a way to one of Martin
Motes' strategies for getting awards on his vandaceous -- cut a spike or two
while they're still short, before they initiate buds, forcing the plant to
save up its energy for the next blooming and thereby making it more
spectacular. Kenni


"Mark_OK" wrote in message
...
I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't from heavy fertilization. I have a few
phals that have double spikes but one I'm watching with anticipation has
two new spikes with spikes coming off them. I keep them pretty well
fertilized with compost tea and fish/ kelp mixes when they are outside and
growing but switch to a synthetic blend when I bring them in for the
winter.


"Dusty" wrote in message
. 33.102...
I was in home depot the other day and they have an orchid promo on Phals
for $9.99. What caught my eye is every one was blooming on at least 2 new
spikes with some having 3 spikes. The best I can do is bloom on one new
and
one old spike. So does any one know how the grower got these to put out
multi spikes?
By the way 90% had no ids but I my body forced me to buy got one that had
a
name tag.