Has anyone seen two new orchid flower spikes growing from...
Has anyone seen two new orchid flower spikes growing from an old one? I didn’t know this was possible! She also has new growth on the other flower spike! 🥹 this is a good thing right? 😅 #HappyPlants #PhalaenopsisOrchid #OrchidLovers floweringPlants">#floweringPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewGrowth
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 6 days ago
7
Depends. They can do that. That's why a lot of people recommend leaving the spikes unless they are yellowing and even cut them (just like you did) to just above the last bloomed node to increase chances of a secondary spike.
As for if it's a good thing: that depends on the plant. Many hybrids today are bred for more and longer blooms, some to a point that even one bloom is really already a lot of energy to expend. If your orchid is not showing any signs of stress and is healthy and not an overbloomer, an occasional secondary spike is no biggie. Some even don't immediately sprout an extra one right after but only grow those branches from those points when they would usually bloom another spike instead, which then would even be a good thing (but which you can't know beforehand).
However, if it's struggling, then another/a more prolonged bloom can be a bit much. And even if not: it's always good to be aware that most phals have a distinct growth cycle: they only grow roots and leaves in between blooms. Longer time blooming, blooming more often, means less time to grow the "infrastructure" that is needed to support those plentiful blooms the next year. So basically it's a : "know your plant and its health and weigh what's important to you" kind of situation
As for if it's a good thing: that depends on the plant. Many hybrids today are bred for more and longer blooms, some to a point that even one bloom is really already a lot of energy to expend. If your orchid is not showing any signs of stress and is healthy and not an overbloomer, an occasional secondary spike is no biggie. Some even don't immediately sprout an extra one right after but only grow those branches from those points when they would usually bloom another spike instead, which then would even be a good thing (but which you can't know beforehand).
However, if it's struggling, then another/a more prolonged bloom can be a bit much. And even if not: it's always good to be aware that most phals have a distinct growth cycle: they only grow roots and leaves in between blooms. Longer time blooming, blooming more often, means less time to grow the "infrastructure" that is needed to support those plentiful blooms the next year. So basically it's a : "know your plant and its health and weigh what's important to you" kind of situation
@MusicalRedmint thank you for the great description! She finished blooming in the spring, then grew a new leaf and I think roots, and is now growing these stalks and more roots too! I don’t think she’s struggling but I’ll keep an eye on that for sure
@RulerTaromojito yep I am waiting for two more roots on that one on the very end of the spike to harvest it in its own pot !!
