Calvin, I'm certainly not an expert on equestris but mine just keep flowering until I cut off the spike. I hate ratty Phals. I don't know why your flowers lasted such a short time, probably adjusting to your conditions. Flowers last a long time and the spike just keeps growing.

You'll probably get better flowering this year on a new spike.

Jane

Calvin I agree it was probably a change in growing conditions because the blooms last quite a while.

Here is a picture of my two equestris in a group shot. Both of these are young seedlings blooming for the first time. The one on the left is from Oak Hill I purchased this winter - please note the two spikes. I was ready to cut the spike off after it bloomed for a while but the second spike appeared so I let the plant decide what it wanted to do.

The one on the right is one I purchased last summer from the hybridizer. Both equestris spiked and bloomed at the same time. They have been blooming for months and the spikes are still quite short but I have plenty of buds remaining. If the spikes get long and ratty, they must bloom year round.

If your spike was totally removed, I wouldn't expect it to bloom again until early spring, which in Canada is probably June :>)

{{gwi:171892}}

I hope you get your cochlearis and remember to bring a companion home with it. We don't want it to be lonely.

Brooke

That picture shows so clearly the difference between selected and unselected cultivars, Brooke. Thanks for another photo lesson.

Thanks for the input everyone :)

I definitely have an unselected cultivar - mine looks like the one on the left. I will look forward to the next blooming - the plant itself seems to be growing pretty well.

And thanks for the reminder - having lonely orchids is unacceptable, of course ; )

Caught me red-handed being an orchid snob, Calvin! LOL.

ROFL@mehitabel! I didn't mean it that way, although now that you mention it....; ) just teasing :) I'm quite fascinated by the variety seen in this species, and will definitely look for more companions