Dear orchid friends,

I've come to the conclusion that my orchid is healthy and happy but
it's just not time for it to bloom yet.

I would like to know if there are any known phalaenopsis orchids that
will flower year round? I've come to love the type of flowers that
your standard supermarket phalaenopsis orchids produce (like the one I
had). So, I'm not into the more exotic types (yet). I would love to
have one that flowers year round.

I have my eye on the Phalaenopsis schilleriana. I've included links to
pictures below. I would love to have an orchid like that. But, I don't
know how successful I'd be in getting it to bloom like that!

http://www.orchidworks.com/orchids/pinkphal.jpg
http://www.phals.net/schilleriana/00ph0289.jpg

Regarding the used flower spike... After my phalaenopsis finished
flowering, the spike stayed green. Almost every source on the internet
suggested that I cut the spike. If I didn't, then any additional
flowers that it produced from the spike would be smaller and fewer. So
I cut the spike. I was told that this would allow the plant to grow
and produce a new spike next year.

Joanna however said that it would be easier for the plant to produce
flowers from an existing spike than to grow a new one. I'm confused
about this. Should I always leave a healthy spike alone and have it
flower again next year, or should I remove it after it's finished
flowering. I don't want the quality and quantity of the flowers to
suffer from this decision.

Any comments?

Mike

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On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 14:02:21 -0400, Mike
wrote:

Dear orchid friends,

Regarding the used flower spike... After my phalaenopsis finished
flowering, the spike stayed green. Almost every source on the internet
suggested that I cut the spike. If I didn't, then any additional
flowers that it produced from the spike would be smaller and fewer. So
I cut the spike. I was told that this would allow the plant to grow
and produce a new spike next year.

Joanna however said that it would be easier for the plant to produce
flowers from an existing spike than to grow a new one. I'm confused
about this. Should I always leave a healthy spike alone and have it
flower again next year, or should I remove it after it's finished
flowering. I don't want the quality and quantity of the flowers to
suffer from this decision.

Any comments?

Mike


Mike -
Your plant has grown several leaves as well as looking good.
This is more important than flowering. We say to cut when there
is a question, because it is easy to kill a Phal by allowing it
to bloom too much. I had one that did not rest for 18 months.
It was lovely and I wish I still had it, but after 18 months it
was too tired to grow that new leaf. I thought it was doing fine
until it died. It is better to let it rest once in a while.
Next year you will be able to spot the new leaf growth or its
lack and know if your plant can grow both flowers and leaves at
once.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 14:02:21 -0400, Mike
wrote:

Dear orchid friends,

Regarding the used flower spike... After my phalaenopsis finished
flowering, the spike stayed green. Almost every source on the internet
suggested that I cut the spike. If I didn't, then any additional
flowers that it produced from the spike would be smaller and fewer. So
I cut the spike. I was told that this would allow the plant to grow
and produce a new spike next year.

Joanna however said that it would be easier for the plant to produce
flowers from an existing spike than to grow a new one. I'm confused
about this. Should I always leave a healthy spike alone and have it
flower again next year, or should I remove it after it's finished
flowering. I don't want the quality and quantity of the flowers to
suffer from this decision.

Any comments?

Mike


Mike -
Your plant has grown several leaves as well as looking good.
This is more important than flowering. We say to cut when there
is a question, because it is easy to kill a Phal by allowing it
to bloom too much. I had one that did not rest for 18 months.
It was lovely and I wish I still had it, but after 18 months it
was too tired to grow that new leaf. I thought it was doing fine
until it died. It is better to let it rest once in a while.
Next year you will be able to spot the new leaf growth or its
lack and know if your plant can grow both flowers and leaves at
once.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php