New leaf on phal causing side of plant to break open?

[steph]

Just wondering if this is normal on a phal. It looks like the new leaf is confused as to whether it should grow out of the crown or out of the side of the plant. Subsequently there is a "hole" on the side of the plant. Is this a bad thing?

To give you some background on this plant: It is a yellow NOID I bought from Walmart about a year ago and being new at this I managed to both underwater and then overwater it, causing a few leaves to drop rapidly and some root rot. It has since been repotted (about 2 months ago) and the roots look like they are improving...

[Tropicgirl]

It's not a leaf, it looks to me like a flower spike or a new root starting. Good job!

[Orchid126]

It's much better coming off the side of the plant than from the crown.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Tropicgirl

It's not a leaf, it looks to me like a flower spike or a new root starting. Good job!

I'm thinking more a keiki than a flower spike....not sure though.

eta: don't mind me, still learning.

[trdyl]

Steph, I think you are correct about the leaf. It does happen sometimes. Years ago I had a doritis that I got in rough shape. It had one leaf sticking straight up. When it started putting out new leaves for me it did cause that one to split wide open. after that it grew normally.

[lobsterman]

Steph,

You definitely look like you got the water and root situation under control. The plant looks good. As for the 'growth' on the side, it looks to me like either a root or a spike. It may force the adjacent leaf off, but growth is always good. Don't sweat it and keep doing what your doing!

[OrchidSue]

Originally Posted by trdyl

Steph, I think you are correct about the leaf. It does happen sometimes. Years ago I had a doritis that I got in rough shape. It had one leaf sticking straight up. When it started putting out new leaves for me it did cause that one to split wide open. after that it grew normally.

I agree, I find this happens sometimes, but generally not a problem.

Susan

[steph]

Thank you for the responses. I was a bit freaked out when I first saw the "hole" on the plant. I'm glad the plant is doing okay.

[RosieC]

I'm not sure what it is, keiki, crown leaf growing out the side, or spike... but I think it will work out OK. It looks like this plant is trying to grow and is recovering from some previous problems and sometimes they do strange things as they recover... but I think it will get it's self sorted and it's looking good and strong just now.

[steph]

Here are some recent pictures. It is definitely a leaf - whether a keiki leaf or crown leaf I can't tell. What do you think?

It seems the new leaf got wrinkled as it struggled to push itself out and now a new leaf is following the same fate. Would it be ok to remove the old leaf at the top that is in the way so that the new leaf can grow out properly?