Sick Phal is growning a Spike. Should I remove it?

[RosieC]

Ok, some of you have already helped with my sick Phal.
It's still alive.

But it's got the start of a spike...
Usually I would be pleased but I don't want it to waist energy on that.



I'm 90% sure it's a spike not a new root. In my (limited) experience spikes tend to grow from arround the fold in the center of a leaf where as roots seen to grow from the sides. It has some new roots as well of not much bigger size, this one looks different in shape and colour and at the right angle has signs of 'mitten' shape (I couldn't get a clear shot of that).

Now if it IS a spike, should I remove it?

My sort of plan is to leave it a bit longer to be certain it's not a root and when I'm 100% to remove it.

Is this the right thing to do?

This Phal is still really sick, only a couple of roots over 3" long and the leaf on the left of this picture is going to be lost soon (it's yellowed since I took the picture two days ago - I've not managed to get a better shot today) leaving it with three plus a tiny one.

[bonsai1504]

if it is a spike i'd remove it and let the plant use its energy to recover. if it's a root, leave it. the plant can use it.

[mayres]

I'll second both comments........

[betwixtimes]

What if it is trying to grow a keiki?

[blackorchid]

if it's a keiki save it lol....

[unhappykat]

allow it to grow a few more weeks to be certain of what it is, sometimes sick phals can produce kikis or sr even spike before they actively grow roots, If its a keiki it may mean the growing point has died but a dormant basal eye has begun to sprout and you might have a fresh plant. Also roots dont always do what you expect, theres always that one different one on every plant, sometimes you can end up with them growing completely vertical and you may even mistake them for a spike.

[RosieC]

Ok, so I'll leave it a bit longer and see what happens.

I don't think the growing point has died... it has a new leaf about an inch long which I'm sure is still growing (although I look every day so I'm never sure if I'm imagining it).

But if it gets even more spike like and I'm certain then I will remove it.

It's about to loose the leaf on the left of the picture (which gets yellower every day) which will mean this 'nubbin' is on the outside of the plant, that will make it easier to remove if I need to, and if it is a root or Keiki it will probably make that easier as well.

The good news is that my other two Phals are really healthy just now... lots of roots all looking like they are growing, 3 new leaves each without loosing any old ones, and one has a spike starting to produce buds and the other has a short spike.