Question
1.  My Dendrobium was purchased on sale when out of bloom.  It has been about a year.  It has not bloomed under my care, but the leaves are green and healthy. Question: there are 3 canes. One is quite small, the two others are long and full of leaves (one of them grew under my care -- the other was previously in bloom). Are these two (or three) separate plants and should I separate them? Or is it all one plant?

2. I have a Phal that has started a spike (I am so excited - my first spike!).  When should I clip it to a stick? It is so green and new that I am afraid to clip it, but it is growing out, not up, and getting close to a window.

Thanks!

Answer
Elizabeth, with regard to your dendrobium, it is all one plant.  Each new growth derives some of its nourishment from earlier growths so they are all important.  The best way to tell if you are growing the dendrobium well is if each new growth, when mature, is as tall or taller than the prioir year's growth.

The new flower spike can be clipped (ie fastened to a stake) when it is at least 6 inches long. You may need to take a gradual approach to staking it so you don't snap it off as they are quite brittle.  Also, try not to move the plant while in spike.  You noticed that the new spike is light dependent for its orientation. It it is repositioned relative to the light source, the flower spike will turn and start growing in another direction.