Severed tip of Phal spike growing a new BUD!

[InspirChid1712]

Recently I picked up a pathetic Phal. from the clearence rack at Lowe's. It had two spikes: one of which was bare, and the other had been broken off at one of the nodes and the broken end still held two fading purple flowers. I removed the broken end and placed it in a small vase of water, hoping to revive the blooms. Within a day, the flowers perked up, but then faded again by the next day. A few minutes ago, as I was preparing to dump the vase and toss it, I noticed a new bud growing from the tip of this severed spike! Has anybody ever heard of this happening?! I doubt the bud will reach maturity, but I know that some orchids are full of bizarre surprises! Any thoughts as to how I could help this new bud mature into a flower??? Should I perhaps add a few specks of bloom-booster to the water???

[Ross]

The new blossom spike will probably develope with smaller-than-normal blossoms, but should satisfy everyone

[Dorothy]

I have had spikes nearly dead, finished blooming and almost begin to dry then come back and bud again
It is known to happen

[Orchidaholic]

There could be a small chance that the spike is producing a keiki not a bud. Either flower or baby, keep it in the vase and let us know what happens!

[Tindomul]

They sell cut orchid spikes all the time. The buds are more or less fully developed, but some are not. They all bloom anyway, and last a long time. So why not this one?

[InspirChid1712]

It is certainly not a keiki, though I do with it was. There were no buds at the tip of the spike when I first placed it in water, and it seems to keep developing! It is quite puzzling to me how this spike is continuing to grow without being attached to the actual plant for nourishment, and placed only in a small glass of water! Hmm... I'll think twice before I drink water from our faucet again! (What DO they put in there?!?!?!)

[thakshila smith]

this is an interesting story happen to you.I have the same experience with my oncidium plant .One day the whole spike was broken to two .And buds part was cut off.
its a miracle again buds formed on the bare spike.

[InspirChid1712]

I decided to try an experiment with my spike segment. I dipped it in a rooting hormone and placed it in a moist bark/moss mixture. I made sure that the one node was covered with the hormone powder and is slightly below the substrate surface. I'm thinking that if the spike has enough energy to produce a new bud, then why not a keiki?! I figure the odds are probably against me, but who knows?! What do 'yall think?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by InspirChid1712

What do 'yall think?

Let us know what happens ... I'm sure you will, if it's a success