Bloom spike changed to aerial root

[r.u.'chiding]

I received a phal, Hsin Black Jack, a couple of months ago. It arrived with a bloom spike about 1 1/2 inches long. Due to a pre-shipping holding period, it arrived very thirsty and lost ~75% of its basal roots. It has taken these 2 months to get the leaves turgid enough to support themselves and coax the plant out of 'dormancy'.

Just recently, I noticed my bloom spike was no more ... now a sheath with an aerial root growing from the tip. I've not seen, or read, of this before in my limited exposure and was wondering if any others had witnessed this phenomenon.

While it is disappointing, blackie is in no shape to be flying any colors ... maybe next year.

[jaxorchidman]

Can you post a pic??

[r.u.'chiding]

After much clicking, and even more cursing, I've not been able to obtain anything clear enough to post. I'll keep trying but I'm not expecting much better at this point.

[redperphexion]

If the plant was badly stressed and "fears for it's life" maybe it's a keiki? Maybe it will develop more roots and leaves and give you a brand new Baby Black Jack!

Some plants flower/reproduce best when they are under extreme stress - just to save their genes (cause that's what living is all about).

Let us know if you get pictures!

[lostonthebeach]

Pictures would help. It would be very interesting to see.

[camille1585]

Keiki is also what I was thinking, especially since the plant has been stressed. I read something similar on OB a long time ago about a keiki who grew roots first, and the leaves appeared a while after.

[r.u.'chiding]

Here is a blurry pic until I can get the ... ummmm ... technical issues sorted out. Obviously, it's operator error and I'd rtfm if I could find it.

The blurry brown is the sheath. The brown on the aerial root in front of it is from its high light environment.

There is no evidence of a 'node' that might produce a future leaf which adds to the peculiarity, but as you say Camille, maybe that will follow. It would be nice to hatch a little one for the heartache and hassles.

[neb]

What brand of camera do you have? I or someone else can help you to use the macro setting to get a better picture. But from the picture you posted it dose look like a root coming out where there should be an emerging spike.

[r.u.'chiding]

I found the manual online and subsequently found the macro option (and not on the dial where I had searched). I'll get some better shots in the morning after my AC's been repaired - hot and humid = no sleep (3rd night) so the pictures may still be blurry.

[r.u.'chiding]

I think this one illustrates fairly well what I was describing. I'm sure glad that was digital 'film' I was exposing.