wheres the new stem?

[kjp8128]

I currently have a Phal. Received it about 3 months ago. It had a beautiful bloom. But after a week found it with a broken stem. I called the (doctor) place I bought it from, they told me to cut it at the bottom of the stem. It has been a few months and yah! there is new growth. The roots and a new leaf are taking off beautifully. I keep looking for a new stem, but am not really sure how to identify it compared to a root. Can anybody help me identify what a new stem looks like, Or when it will show itself?

[camille1585]

A new spike takes anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to appear. Be patient, the time between spikes seems to depend on the plant!

A spike always comes from the 'narrow' side of the phal, in the crotch of a leaf (for lack of a better word). From what I've seen, the next spike always appears in the crotch of the leaf above the previous spike. I hope that makes sense.

Now as for telling them apart, a spike nubbin will have a flat mitten like shape. A root nubbin is round. I know I have pictures of both, so I'll try to dig them up and post them for you!

[Lagoon]

Maybe this photo will help

[Ray]

You also have to keep in mind that spikes don't "just grow". Spike initiation is a result of a lot of different factors - plant health and general growing conditions being very important - but many phals respond to temperature changes (a couple of weeks of 10*-15°F lower than that for optimal growth).

[Jorge_Burrito]

That looks like a spike to me. Just to warn you it will still be quite a while before you get flowers from it (it always seems to take forever).

[brush]

In my experiences so far with phals, I documented one of my phals from the time it started to spike till the time the first flower opened . It takes 120 days approximately .

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by brush

In my experiences so far with phals, I documented one of my phals from the time it started to spike till the time the first flower opened . It takes 120 days approximately .

That's pretty much what I counted too for my phals. It takes about 100 days for the nubbins to bloom! That's way too long when you're impatient!

[brush]

But the reward of such beauty is worth the wait and so exciting when it is unfolding it's hidden palette.

[nenella]

Hi Kjp8128,
Whilst watering today I found one of my phals with a new spike (flower stem) & a new root (nubbin) popping out! The spike is on the left & the root on the right. Hope this helps you!

[Leisurely]

The flower spikes on Phals grow very fast in higher temps. If you are in a hurry for flower, raise the temperature.