Interesting question, Ken. I have several Catt related plants that bloom both spring and fall as well.
I always just assumed it was something to do with the temperature changes. In fall when the first cool nights arrive, that's usually when I start seeing new spikes. Same in the spring when the nights start to warm up!
As far as Phals becoming the mainstream orchid and 'beginner' orchid it's a bit of a shame, I think. Phals are very sensitive, and need pretty exacting conditions to thrive, so I think they made a bad choice when the mass growers decided the public needed to be introduced to orchid growing using Phals. A bad choice for the customers, but a good choice for the growers. In my cynical mind I think they saw an opportunity to sell a lot of orchids that would very quickly die off, and then the uninformed customers would buy more . . . such a shame to waste a plant that's been grown for a couple of years to end up as a throw-away after blooming once.
Just came in from moving my Phal collection out onto the patio table so they can enjoy yet another unseasonable rainy day! Move very carefully, keep them all facing the same direction . . . Divas, all!
