You can't propagate an orchid that way. You can't use the spike to grow another plant.

Sometimes a Phal will grow a keiki (baby plant) from the spike, or basal keiki (base of the plant) and that would be the only way you could get another plant.

If you wanted to get involved in collecting seed, that is extremely complicated and not for a novice grower.

Jane

Thank you, Jane! But if my plant will not grow a keiki? I found this method of propagation here http://www.fabartdiy.com/how-to-propagate-orchid-easily-at-home/ 

I highly doubt that method works. Keikis are the only reliable way as a homegrower. I think that website is giving you false hope.

Has anyone ever tried it?

Thank you.

Jane, you wrote " I then put the roots, without any leaves in a pot and had it send up a basal keiki." What do you mean by that? Thanks.

Polina.

She cut the stem (where the leaves come from) in half. The bottom half just had the roots from the pot and part of the stem. The top part had aerial roots along the stem and leaves.

She continued to take care of the roots and they sent up a keiki (kay-kee) which is a baby plant, a clone of the mother.

Highly suspicious of that "propagation" method. There's really no surefire way to get keikis. It always seems like a happy accident to me. I wouldn't cut your flowers early on the off chance you'll get a baby plant off the chopped up stem, which you will then have to grow for 4-5 years to get to blooming size. Seems like a lot of work.

I agree with Dannie, some seem to form keikis more readily than others. But seeing that Phals have become very cheap, why bother?

I have fiddled around with them for ages and here there are many types of orchids easier to grow than Phals.

Not popular at all at the local orchid society because you need a Phalaenopsis House to grow them well.

Sorry about this.... should be encouraging newbies etc, but why settle for one nice Phalaenopsis when there are so many nice ones around?

Added via edit.... link to orchid society photos of Phalaenopsis. Link to show the enormous variety of colours available....

Orchid Society Phalaenopsis pics

Thank you, All! Just curious, like to try new things. I have enough Phals for now and I am waiting for clearance at local Nursery store to buy more if I'll like them. I had Cattleya, but it never bloom, giving new shoots, but they are getting older without blooms even I see there is a bud inside.

I grow both Cattleya and Phals and find Catts much easier to flower and grow. They just need LOTS of sun at all times, where Phals don't want that and need a cool period to rebloom. I have not bought a Phal in years and yet keep acquiring more. A florist friend gives me her spent plants, as does the front desk at my husband's office. There is no shortage of phals that need a home. I honestly don't want keikis and would love to off-load some of mine. I want room for plants that I like more than the several dozen phals that take up space in my sunroom.

Such phal haters :-)

Probably my favorites.

Bob

I'm in the same boat as Suzabanana! I'm overwhelmed with them because people come to Florida for the winter, buy a pretty Phal, enjoy the blooms then ask me if I can take care of it until they return the next year.

I have so many orchids I love and the Phals take up so much room. Plus, because they are not mine, I feel responsible to keep it going and flowering.

I have to say NO!!

Jane

Jane, you have to say NO to what?

I've never been in Florida and would never give my plant to somebody to take care of it. Not a good practice. I love Phals and can buy many of them. Just wanted to try something new. I have many African Violets and propagate them all the time, new with orchids, so just out of curiosity. I am with Bob, love Phals and they bloom at my home. Couldn't get any Cattleya to bloom because here in OH they don't get enough sun.

Thank you ALL for your comments!

Polina.

She has to say no to taking in more phals. I am also in the same place. People know I grow orchids and tend to give me the no ID phals they receive as gifts after the flowers drop. I love a faithful bloomer, and I've got a knack for phals, but I just don't have any more room. I'm now giving plants I've had a few years to people who I know can care for them. I want to try different orchids and I have limited space, so the phals must go.

Jane, do people really come back and borrow their plants back from you while they bloom?

Yes!

They come down after the holidays, and stay until May. Most have condos. Most folks are from the mid-West and Canada. They buy Phals in bloom to put on their patios, but leave them behind when they leave.

I discovered it is quite the ‘business’ down here. There are people who charge monthly to take care of these ‘left-behind’ orchids. They charge for watering and fertilizing and repotting. They do not take the orchids, rather drive to the condos and look after them.

I have no interest in doing that. But, I do tend to feel more responsible for those plants over my own. Florida is not an easy place to grow phals. It was much easier growing them in NY. I grow all phals bare root in baskets with some rock and charcoal.

I wish they’d buy Catts! Much easier to grow here. But, no, it’s always Phals.

I'm going to try to PM you Jane.

@Polina: I live in MI and grow a lot of catts --- mainly minis. I have some I grow under fluorescent shoplights and others I have in front of my SE facing sliding glass doors with no supplemental lighting. I've bloomed them in both locals, so it "doable".

Jane there is no reason you should hesitate saying "no". If I were in your shoes, I might say "Well, I can try attaching it to one of the trees outside but it will have to fend for itself -- I have no room indoors." I would not give up any of my indoor "real estate" except for close family or very good friends .... and even then there would be a limit. The only way those snowbirds would have me taking care of any of their plants would be if they paid me -- and paid well. Arrogantly presumptuous on their part.

I'd say get them in spike, take them down to the local farmers' market and sell them. Then when the snowbirds return, tell them a cold front did them in. (Really could use a laughing devil emoticon right now.)

I have just returned a revived Phalaenopsis to its owner. People cannot abide throwing that cheap bunch of flowers ( Phals) into garbage bins.

I have been fiddling with them for eons with only modest success and here they are difficult.

But as the back yards turn into high rise, Phals and other indoors all year orchids might be the only way the many orchid societies in this city survive long term.

I do not care for or take in other's phals/orchids. Of my @25 phals, only 1 is a NOID that I received from a good work friend years ago which I keep for sentimental reasons. I believe every other orchid I own was purposefully purchased or acquired by me.

I also grow vandas and catts and can bloom them reliable under artificial lights during winter. Two things are essential based upon my experience: 1) Be sure you have plenty of artificial/natural light during the winter and expose them as close as possible to those lights. 2) Put them outside in late spring - early fall, they will respond even over winter.

Discussing growing under lights during winter is a whole other topic in which I have interest and a little experience.

Bob