Hi all. As I am not really experienced orchid grower, just past a beginner's
level, I lurk here most of the time. I de-lurk today to ask about a common
white Phalenopsis.

The orchid formed a flower spike in late January this year. The 14 flowers
opened in sequence in February (while I was absent). I came home in March,
to find it still blooming. In early June, when the flowers were falling off,
a side flower spike formed on the January spike, and it commenced blooming
with 8 flowers. Half the way through August, ANOTHER side flower spike
formed on the January spike, and as the flowers from the August spike dried
up, this new spike blooms with 9 huge, gorgeous flowers. At the same time a
new leaf is growing. Everything is looking super-healthy. My question: is
this normal? I had this phal blooming every 7 to 8 months, and had healthy
leaf growth, but never like this, all at once and keeps blooming for 9
months now. Any insight?

Happy but confused - Maggie's Mom.

Maggie's Mom wrote:
Hi all. As I am not really experienced orchid grower, just past a beginner's
level, I lurk here most of the time. I de-lurk today to ask about a common
white Phalenopsis.

The orchid formed a flower spike in late January this year. The 14 flowers
opened in sequence in February (while I was absent). I came home in March,
to find it still blooming. In early June, when the flowers were falling off,
a side flower spike formed on the January spike, and it commenced blooming
with 8 flowers. Half the way through August, ANOTHER side flower spike
formed on the January spike, and as the flowers from the August spike dried
up, this new spike blooms with 9 huge, gorgeous flowers. At the same time a
new leaf is growing. Everything is looking super-healthy. My question: is
this normal? I had this phal blooming every 7 to 8 months, and had healthy
leaf growth, but never like this, all at once and keeps blooming for 9
months now. Any insight?

Happy but confused - Maggie's Mom.


I believe you Phal is as happy as you are.

Steve

On Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:16:25 -0600, "Maggie's Mom"
wrote:

Hi all. As I am not really experienced orchid grower, just past a beginner's
level, I lurk here most of the time. I de-lurk today to ask about a common
white Phalenopsis.

The orchid formed a flower spike in late January this year. The 14 flowers
opened in sequence in February (while I was absent). I came home in March,
to find it still blooming. In early June, when the flowers were falling off,
a side flower spike formed on the January spike, and it commenced blooming
with 8 flowers. Half the way through August, ANOTHER side flower spike
formed on the January spike, and as the flowers from the August spike dried
up, this new spike blooms with 9 huge, gorgeous flowers. At the same time a
new leaf is growing. Everything is looking super-healthy. My question: is
this normal? I had this phal blooming every 7 to 8 months, and had healthy
leaf growth, but never like this, all at once and keeps blooming for 9
months now. Any insight?

Happy but confused - Maggie's Mom.



As long as it grows new leaves and roots along with the blooms you are
prime for the "happy dance." Anytime it quits growing at least one
leaf a year - cut the spike off and rest the plant. I had a huge
lovely white phal. I neglected to cut the spike when mine did not get
a new leaf and it did bloom itself to death it takes energy to bloom
that much. It took a short 18 months of constant bloom, but there is
no recovery then.

Don't forget to repot on a regular schedule. Phal's can take a
repotting with a spike, it is just harder for you. You have to make
sure you don't damage the spike.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

"Maggie's Mom" wrote in message
...
Hi all. As I am not really experienced orchid grower, just past a
beginner's level, I lurk here most of the time. I de-lurk today to ask
about a common white Phalenopsis.

The orchid formed a flower spike in late January this year. The 14 flowers
opened in sequence in February (while I was absent). I came home in March,
to find it still blooming. In early June, when the flowers were falling
off, a side flower spike formed on the January spike, and it commenced
blooming with 8 flowers. Half the way through August, ANOTHER side flower
spike formed on the January spike, and as the flowers from the August
spike dried up, this new spike blooms with 9 huge, gorgeous flowers. At
the same time a new leaf is growing. Everything is looking super-healthy.
My question: is this normal? I had this phal blooming every 7 to 8 months,
and had healthy leaf growth, but never like this, all at once and keeps
blooming for 9 months now. Any insight?

Happy but confused - Maggie's Mom.

OH my gosh.... what are you feeding it? :-))

I feed it Schultz 19-31-17 for orchids, 1/4 teaspoon in gallon of water. I
water every 7 days or so, when the medium feels dry.

"Manelli Family" wrote

OH my gosh.... what are you feeding it? :-))

"Maggie's Mom" wrote in message
. ..
I feed it Schultz 19-31-17 for orchids, 1/4 teaspoon in gallon of water. I
water every 7 days or so, when the medium feels dry.

"Manelli Family" wrote

OH my gosh.... what are you feeding it? :-))


I gotta try some of that! I rotate the fertalizer but only use it a few
times a month. My orchids get watered about twice a week.