Denphal - Branching flower spike? - Orchid Board

dimshane · #1 08-08-2023, 09:09 AM

Hello all,

My first post here. I have only one year's experience growing orchids. I have a few phals and several denphals in my growing collection.

One dendrobium I got out of bloom at a discount late last year is finally coming into bloom! Two canes are growing spikes.
I have always read that dendrobiums don't produce a branching flower spike. But.... I am pretty sure I see a branch forming on of this flower spike. Could it be some anomaly? Do I have a very special denphal? Or could it simply be a Keiki? I can't find any info on this anywhere.
I am so curious now.
Has anyone here ever experienced this?

WaterWitchin · #2 08-08-2023, 10:42 AM

DenPhals have spikes. They are hybrids (Dendrobium x Phalaeonopsis) and not straight Dendrobium.

estación seca · #3 08-08-2023, 12:39 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Yes, they can have branching spikes.

ebrookmi · #4 08-08-2023, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

DenPhals have spikes. They are hybrids (Dendrobium x Phalaeonopsis) and not straight Dendrobium.

While it is true that these orchids develop spikes that can branch (such as in the photo), I do want to point out that DenPhals are not hybrids between phals and dendrobiums.
I.e. the species Dendrobium Phalaenopsis (species) is now under the accepted name of Dendrobium Bigibbum

WaterWitchin · #5 08-08-2023, 03:39 PM

Once again, I'm wrong!

ebrookmi · #6 08-08-2023, 04:32 PM

But! You're half right! lol

dimshane · #7 08-08-2023, 06:41 PM

That's pretty cool then! I can't wait to see it develop. I believe it's dendrobium sa-nook Polar Fire. Someone can correct if I'm wrong. Thanks for response.