Phal with Flower Spike from Leaf Growing Point

[pinkypurple]

Hi, I saw a gorgeous phal today that I almost snapped up, but when I got it to the till I noticed that there was an old, cut-off, flower spike, that was smack bang in the middle of the growing point! Coming straight out of the very top of the orchid, Where the new leaves should grow from.

I've never seen this before so was wondering if this orchid is still viable or would that flower spike have busted the growing point, which it is completely through the middle of.

I put that orchid back and chose another but I really want that one, if it will be able to grow leaves still. Does anyone know if it can?

[Orchid Whisperer]

That is called a terminal flower spike.

Terminal in this case just means that it is at the end of a growth (coming out an apical meristem; usually Phal flower spikes come out of lateral meristems). It is not "terminal" as in terminal illness.

Can the plant continue to grow? Yes. It will just push a leafy growth out of a lateral meristem. Most people call these lateral growths a basal keiki, but you can also think of it as the plant making a lateral branch.

So, if you still want the plant, there is nothing that should stop you.

FWIW, Cattleya orchids usually bloom from an apical meristem and make new growths from lateral meristems. (You can think of your Phal as trying to grow and flower like a Cattleya).

[pinkypurple]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

That is called a terminal flower spike.

Terminal in this case just means that it is at the end of a growth (coming out an apical meristem; usually Phal flower spikes come out of lateral meristems). It is not "terminal" as in terminal illness.

Can the plant continue to grow? Yes. It will just push a leafy growth out of a lateral meristem. Most people call these lateral growths a basal keiki, but you can also think of it as the plant making a lateral branch.

So, if you still want the plant, there is nothing that should stop you.

FWIW, Cattleya orchids usually bloom from an apical meristem and make new growths from lateral meristems. (You can think of your Phal as trying to grow and flower like a Cattleya).

Thanks for the info! I think I will wait and see if it is reduced in that case, it was a lovely cotton candy.