Phal. Spiking from Below First Leaf

[Mountaineer370]

I have this Phalaenopsis that I bought at a show this spring, and I noticed today it is putting out a spike below the first (top) leaf. How unusual is that? I had been under the impression that spikes originate below the second leaf from the top, maybe rarely below the third leaf, but I'm still in the learning process and maybe that's not always true?

My plant's tag says Phal. (bellina 'Jungle x sib '#2') x bellina var. coerulea. First of all, can you tell me, is this a species or a hybrid? I'm confused. It appears to be a bellina-something crossed with a bellina-something. Help me understand what I have. (This is why I didn't post this in the Phalaenopsis sub-forum - I didn't know if I should post it under species or hybrid.)

It has put out a couple new air roots in the time I've had it, but shows no sign of growing any new leaves. It appears to be a young plant that has not bloomed before.

Anyway, I'm just curious.

[jcec1]

It's a species orchid - it's a bellina.

I have never been aware of the leaf count and spike growth, and just take them as they come - any spike is good

I find anything with bellina in it to be quite slow growing - usually one or two leaves per year is all I get, albeit I grow mine on the cool side.

[Mountaineer370]

jcec1, thank you so much for the reply. I agree, any spike is good! Coming from my first couple of years in orchids, where I got almost nothing to bloom for me, I am thrilled to see this little bellina, which I've only had for four months, putting out a spike!

I am still curious about the commonly expected origin points for Phal spikes, if anyone else has any information. I know I've read/heard that from more than one source, though I can't give you citations at this moment.