How can Phalaenopsis orchid spikes grow faster, and are they still useful after blooming?
What do flower growers look forward to most? Of course, it is their own Phalaenopsis orchid sending up a flower spike and rapidly pushing out buds! But if the spike grows slowly, or even refuses to bloom, it can really drive you crazy!
How do you make the spike grow fast? The first secret is to feed it well! Phalaenopsis orchids use a huge amount of nutrients to send up a flower spike, and the little bit of nutrients in the bark is not enough. Starting in autumn (when the temperature drops below 25°C), you need to give it an "extra meal." Once a week, water with monopotassium phosphate diluted 1000 times, either poured directly at the roots or sprayed on the leaves. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can push flower bud differentiation and make the spike shoot up quickly! If you find that too troublesome, you can also use a slow-release fertilizer specially made for orchids, sprinkle a few granules on the surface of the pot, and the nutrients will be released slowly. A must-have for lazy people!
The second key is to "chill it"! Phalaenopsis orchid is a "vernalization-type" player. If you want it to obediently send up a flower spike, you have to artificially create a temperature difference. During the day, put it in a place at 18 - 25°C, and at night move it to a room at 12 - 15°C (such as a bedroom or hallway with air conditioning), maintaining a temperature difference of 5 - 8°C every day for about half a month, and the flower spike will not be able to hold back and will start to emerge! Remember not to let it get too cold; below 10°C it is prone to cold damage, after all, it is still a delicate tropical flower!
Light and watering must also keep up! Although Phalaenopsis orchids are afraid of harsh sun, they need 3 - 4 hours of soft, scattered light every day, such as morning sunlight or light from a north balcony. With enough light, the flower spike can grow strong. Do not water too frequently; wait until the bark is completely dry and then water thoroughly. Too much water easily causes root rot, which instead slows down growth. If you find that the spike grows slowly after emerging, you can cover the pot with a black plastic bag to create a dark environment and stimulate the spike to grow like crazy!
So, is the flower spike still useful after it has finished blooming? Of course it is! Do not rush to snip it off! If there is still a green, firm part on the spike, it means it is still alive. Counting down from the topmost flower, cut off the spent flowers diagonally 1 cm above the 3 - 4th node, keeping the middle and lower part of the spike. After some time, a secondary flower spike may emerge from the spike. Although the flowers are smaller than the first time, the advantage is that you can enjoy another round of blooms!
If the flower spike has completely turned yellow and withered, then cut it off directly from the base. After cutting, do not rush to throw it away. Cut the spike into small segments, disinfect them by exposing them to strong sun, and mix them into bark potting medium. The flower spike contains natural plant hormones that can promote new root growth! Also, do not rush to fertilize the Phalaenopsis orchid after cutting the spike. First place it in a bright, ventilated spot for 1 - 2 weeks, wait for it to recover its strength, then start normal care again to build up energy for the next bloom!
If you want Phalaenopsis orchid spikes to grow fast, then fertilize, create a temperature difference, and provide enough light; after the spike has finished blooming, do not rush to throw it away. With proper handling, it can still be "reused as waste." Try these methods quickly.