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This harlequin
phalaenopsis will stay in bloom
for several months.
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Phalaenopsis can
be rebloomed
from the same
'just-bloomed'
spikes by going
down to the
first node
below the
lowest bloom on
the spike, and
cutting the
spike off
about half
an inch
above
this node. This
should only be
done on healthy
robust
plants.
Flowering uses
a lot of energy
and only a
strong plant
can bloom again
within the same
season.
A few
phalaenopsis
species by
nature, rebloom
on old
flowering
stems. Flower
stem, or spikes
on these should
not
be cut off.
Examples are
Phalaenopsis
bellina,
cornu-cervi,
fasciatia,
hierogylyphica,
modesta, and
zebrina. These
flowers all
tend
to
1) be
star shaped, 2)
have small lips
and 3) bloom on
shorter stems
near the base
of the plant
and are
usually barred
or striped in
darker
colors.
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Once
your moth orchid has bloomed,
you should remove the flowering
stem. By this we mean when most
of the flowers have faded. Most
phals will continue to bloom
from the tips but a long stem
with one flower on the end is
not very attractive. Its best
to remove the stem and let the
plant put all its energy into
producing a new flower stem the
following
season.
Use a sharp
knife and cut the stem at
an angle—that's it! Once
you've made the cut,
discard the flowering
stem. The remaining stem
"stub" will dry up and
fade on its own. Do not
attempt to fully remove
it, as you'll probably
damage the
plant.
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An old flower
stem stub
(light
brown) can
be seen to the
right on
this
phalaenopsis
pictured above.
As you can see,
a clean
cut was
made
about an inch
from
the base
of the plant.
Two new
flower
spikes can
be seen
to the left.
Once these have
finished
flowering, they
will be cut
off just
above the first
node
from the base
of
the plant.
The nodes are
encased
in
a
lighter colored
sheath that
looks like a
white
band.
Many
phalaenopsis
have been bred
to produce
branching
sprays.
Branches will
often develop
off the main
stem naturally,
and its fine to
let these
flower and
enjoy the
blooms!
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