New spike? - Orchid Board

AThoele · #1 06-24-2009, 09:27 PM

One of my phals has a little green growth right next to its spike, which is currently blooming. It's much higher up than the roots that are currently coming in. Could it be a new spike? Do they typically come in while the plant is already in bloom? And is this the time of year when a new spike might appear on a phal? Am I just going to have to wait and see what it turns out to be?

quiltergal · #2 06-24-2009, 10:02 PM

Amanda, can you post a picture? That's the only way to tell for sure.

jkofferdahl · #3 06-24-2009, 11:29 PM

Phals have a tendency to spike when they want to, and where they want to. Just because there's a blooming spike doesn't mean it won't grow another, and just because a spike begins doesn't mean it's going to follow the traditional path of blooming a few months after first appearing. For example, I have a Phal. bastianii that grew a spike out to about three inches, then stalled. The spike remained just so for almost a year while the plant grew several leaves, a complete glut of roots, and generally seemed happy. And then, like it was just part of the plan, the spike started growing again. As soon as it did, two more spikes developed. All three came to bloom together, creating a lovely show.

AThoele · #4 06-25-2009, 10:18 AM

OK, here's a photo. I read that you can usually tell a root from a spike because the spike looks like it has a little mittle on the end. This doesn't have that, but I don't know if that's something that would sho up a little later. Any thoughts?

phalaephila · #5 06-25-2009, 10:26 AM

That is a new root. Roots are good!

AThoele · #6 06-25-2009, 10:34 AM

Yay! I just didn't realize that roots would come in so high up!

RosieC · #7 06-25-2009, 10:39 AM

I've got roots coming our really high on several of mine, it's quite normal.

And yes, that is a root and roots are always good, even if not as pretty as flowers.

AThoele · #8 06-25-2009, 10:47 AM

With all the root problems I've been having with my other orchids, I'm absolutely THRILLED to see roots coming in on this one. I think that makes 4 new roots coming in right now. I can't imagine what it will do when it finishes blooming and can really focus on growing roots!

cb977 · #9 06-25-2009, 10:59 AM

Roots are great!

jkofferdahl · #10 06-25-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AThoele

OK, here's a photo. I read that you can usually tell a root from a spike because the spike looks like it has a little mittle on the end. This doesn't have that, but I don't know if that's something that would sho up a little later. Any thoughts?

That's a root, but growing roots are a very good thing! Root health leads to plant health, and plant health leads to strong blooming.