Groth from center of Phalaenopsis

[lucyc400]

Hello,
Does anyone know what this growth from the center of my Phalaenopsis is? Its not a spike and it looks like it may be getting a leaf or something on the end. It looks awkward and I wondered if it would hurt my plant. Any ideas?

[rbarata]

That's a terminal spike. See this thread.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Your plant started to make a terminal flower spike. The spike seems to have switched from flower production to keiki production.

Phalaenopsis tend to also produce basal keikis after making a terminal spike.

None of what I described above should be detrimental to your plant.

[lucyc400]

Thank you for the response. I read the thread that was mentioned and was wondering what your opinion is of using Keiki grow on this plant at this stage. Any thoughts?

[jkofferdahl]

It looks like the plant is already trying to grow a keiki so I'm not sure that Keiki Grow would do much good.

[dounoharm]

'terminal spike'....means exactly that. your plant dies. before that death, the plant will try to reproduce, if not from flower to seed, it will try to make keikis or basal reproduction....but, as with all orchid things, it takes a long, long time! I had a terminal spike that bloomed, branched, bloomed, made keikis, and THEY bloomed! it was blooming for over 3 years! it had basal keikis, keikis on the spike, it was just a pure wonder, and I really enjoyed the show....but, bottom line, that 'mother plant' will die....

[lucyc400]

Thank you for your advise. I guess I will just take good care of this plant and hope for the best.

[Orchid Whisperer]

"Terminal" in this sense does not mean that it dies. In this case, terminal means it is at the end (terminus) of that particular growth. The plant goes on living through any basal or flower stem keikis it makes. Think of these keikis as branches of the plant.

[lucyc400]

Thank you for the clarification on the "terminal" part. Makes me feel better. This plant has been around a long time and would hate to lose it. Thanks again!

[Pippa]

This has happened to my 'jungle' orchid, Phal 'Soft Cloud'. It has three flower sprays including the terminal one. Is it best to leave the stems as the flowers fall and hope they produce keikis, or should I cut them back to encourage basal keikis instead?