Orchid newbie! Is this a terminal orchid spike?

[courtneyrgs94]

Hello,

I am fairly new to orchid care. I have had an orchid for well over a year now. When I purchased it, it was flowering but it died off eventually and appeared to die completely. I kept at it and eventually it was back to green and growing new leaves.

It hasn't flowered once since, but it has been growing what looks like a new spike between the bottom and middle layer of leaves. Can anyone please tell me if this is a terminal spike, and is so, what do I do?

Thank you

[Flower Fool]

Welcome to the Orchid Board.
It looks like a keiki to me. From what I understand a terminal spike will grow up through the crown which will cause the plant to die. I'm sure more experienced members will chime in. But, let's hope it's a keiki.
Good Luck

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Flower Fool

Welcome to the Orchid Board.
It looks like a keiki to me. From what I understand a terminal spike will grow up through the crown which will cause the plant to die. I'm sure more experienced members will chime in. But, let's hope it's a keiki.
Good Luck

Actually, it looks to me like a spike that changed its mind and decided to make a keiki - could still make a flower spike on top of that. "Terminal spike" doesn't mean the end of the plant. IF it does a spike at the "terminus" - the growth point, it may not grow further vertically, but will still live, likely make a new basal growth (not a keiki , more like a branch of a tree, sharing the same root system). Depending on parentage, some are more likely to form a clump than others. But when you think about it, they all have to have a way to stop growing vertically at some point and spread out. (Where have you ever seen a 6 foot/2 meter Phalaenopsis???)

[estación seca]

The leaves are wrinkled. It's not getting enough water. That may be because you're not watering enough, or because the root system is poor. There's a good thread here on growing Phalaenopsis orchids. From the left yellow menu choose Forums then Beginners. Near the top find the sticky thread The Phal. abuse stops here.

And if you do repot, don't cut off any roots. It's sometimes hard to tell what's alive.

[courtneyrgs94]

Thank you! Yes the roots are very poor. It has one strong white/green root but the others turned mushy and withered! It’s so frustrating haha!

---------- Post added at 03:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Actually, it looks to me like a spike that changed its mind and decided to make a keiki - could still make a flower spike on top of that. "Terminal spike" doesn't mean the end of the plant. IF it does a spike at the "terminus" - the growth point, it may not grow further vertically, but will still live, likely make a new basal growth (not a keiki , more like a branch of a tree, sharing the same root system). Depending on parentage, some are more likely to form a clump than others. But when you think about it, they all have to have a way to stop growing vertically at some point and spread out. (Where have you ever seen a 6 foot/2 meter Phalaenopsis???)

Thank you for your reply. It’s so confusing haha! Growing orchids is like learning another language! So your advice at the moment would be watch and see?

[FranningtonBear]

Originally Posted by courtneyrgs94

So your advice at the moment would be watch and see?

That would certainly be my advice. I also agree with Roberta, it looks like a spike that is growing a keiki and that it mat still decide to flower.

Welcome from another UK member

[courtneyrgs94]

Originally Posted by FranningtonBear

That would certainly be my advice. I also agree with Roberta, it looks like a spike that is growing a keiki and that it mat still decide to flower.

Welcome from another UK member

Thank you! It's so exciting - it's my 30th birthday soon and I have asked for orchids for presents! Got a lot to learn