New bud on my Phal?

[orchidwild]

all:
I've been wondering about a green growth on the end of one of my phals. The flower spike has now dropped its blossoms, but one of the "arms" has an enlarged green tip. So, I have two questions: First, is this a bud of some sort? And second, should I trim any of the other arms of the spike to encourage this to develop? One arm is beginning to turn brown at the tip, while the other, which seems to be the main part of the spike, is still green except at the blossom scars. I'll try to figure out how to attach my image, but meanwhile... any ideas would be very welcome !

[whygreenberg]

Hey there, O-Wild! I'd say that looks like a new leaf fan starting!

Hmm...Do you have another pic that shows more of the plant? Looking at the vegetation that new growth is coming from, I'm not sure you've got a Phal there...

[whygreenberg]

Ha ha ha...just read your other thread...

So, long story short, I'm not sure what's going on with the Phal, but your Brassia is putting out a new lead growth.

Hmm...maybe one of the mods could clean these posts up a bit?

[orchidwild]

Okay, Yvan, I'll keep trying... Slow and steady. Isn't that why the beginner forum exists--so newbies can embarrass themselves in front of a limited audience?? I haven't yet ventured onto the Advanced Forum threads I'll get a bigger image of the brassia and the phal, but there's no doubt about what each one is.

[whygreenberg]

He he he...aboslutely. You've got to just jump on in! The OB is both a wonderful place for learning & sharing, and also a lot of fun. I was mainly poking myself because I ended up adding more confusion to the mix!

Btw, welcome! (And tho I now live in Brooklyn, I grew up in Denver. Love those Rockies!)

[Ross]

Originally Posted by orchidwild

Okay, Yvan, I'll keep trying... Slow and steady. Isn't that why the beginner forum exists--so newbies can embarrass themselves in front of a limited audience?? I haven't yet ventured onto the Advanced Forum threads I'll get a bigger image of the brassia and the phal, but there's no doubt about what each one is.

I would recommend just migrating to the advanced forum. It's not a case of being embarassed (like I haven't been? ) but more exposure. I, personally, don't see the need for the seperation, except to comfort the posters. We all have "beginner" experiences when we migrate to a new genus or type of growing. I have been growing orchids since the mid 1960s, yet many of my quests for help could easily go in the beginner group. My advice: if you want help in a special situation (a specific genus or a specific growing condition) go to that forum area - not Advanced. So for Phals, go to http://www.orchidboard.com/community...psis-alliance/ It will assure your post is seen by those interested in Phalenopsis. If you are asking about or discussing terrarium growing, then http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium-gardening/ would be the best place to post. See what I mean? Not all forum areas are real popular. Some are pretty specialized and followed by fewer members. Hope this all helps - sorry it's so long.

[JennS]

Not sure what is in the picture of the Phal...the black tip look suspucious though. The picture is too fuzzy for me to figure out what I am looking at. I would try taking another pic and re-posting. See the other post for comments regarding the Brassia.