Phal with deformed bloom spike - Orchid Board

Tshootr · #1 12-08-2010, 10:42 PM

I have a phal that I've had for several years. It usually blooms once a year. Something strange has happened. I don't know exactly how to explain it, but the bloom spike is attached to the main plant on both ends and it's only about 1 1/2 inches long. This has been this way for many months. The plant seems healthy and has started getting a lot of roots now. Should I just leave it alone and see what happens, or should I cut it off.

RosieC · #2 12-09-2010, 06:25 AM

Hmm, I think it likely that the spike tip has got caught and is growing back into a leaf fold. I've seen pictures of someone else who had that happen and it eventually burst through higher up.

I would be worried about the tip putting pressure on the leaves and actually causing damage to the plant and if I couldn't see to free the tip I might remove it. However it may be fine and eventually break through, I'm afraid I'm not sure what to advise

CTB · #3 12-09-2010, 08:10 AM

Sounds neat, interesting, different, unique, something no one else has. I'd leave it alone, it will take care of inself.

If its a special Phal. then cut it off so it can get on with it blooming and grow another. But you will probably ruin the leaf if it is attached.

Welcome to the Orchid Board, with over 16,000 members, you have come to the right place.

camille1585 · #4 12-09-2010, 09:46 AM

I have one phal that does that every year, but the spike usually finds it's way out after much twisting and turning, and doesn't go bury itself where its not supposed like yours did.

Me neither I don't know what to say. Maybe after going through the leaf base it will eventually find its way upwards?

FlyingBrunswick · #5 12-09-2010, 10:05 AM

I had a Phal do this exact thing about 2 months ago. A few weeks ago I decided to gently (gently!) pull the spike out of the plant.

Once out it was kinked pretty ferociously but the plant has fixed the kink and it is now growing normally. The part that had grown into the plant was about 2.5" long already.

tucker85 · #6 12-09-2010, 10:10 AM

I often do more harm than good when I try to correct something on my orchids. I think I would probably just leave it alone and let the plant do it's thing. Occasionally if a spike fails for some reason the plant will send up a new spike. Good luck.

Izzie · #7 12-09-2010, 01:30 PM

Can you post a picture that shows what's going on in the lower half of the picture? It's hard to tell where the thing is going down there at the bottom. Is it inbetween leaves on the crown?

camille1585 · #8 12-09-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzie

Can you post a picture that shows what's going on in the lower half of the picture? It's hard to tell where the thing is going down there at the bottom. Is it inbetween leaves on the crown?

I thought the tip end was the part disappearing into the leaf right below the root nubbin.... Lol, no idea which end is which on this thing!

Tshootr · #9 12-09-2010, 10:11 PM

Thanks everyone for responding to my question.
Camille1585, I think you have it right.
I looked closer and it does look like the spike tip is growing into the leaf. It just stops there. There's nothing under the leaf and I tried nudging it and it won't move.
Izzie, I posted another photo. Don't know if this one is much better.
I'm thinking that maybe I should just leave it like this and see what happens. The plant doesn't seem to be under any stress.

camille1585 · #10 12-10-2010, 06:48 AM

Beyond strange to see! Did the spike go through that leaf below before starting its twists and turns? On mine I sometimes do minor leaf surgery to free the spike tip, but your looks really jammed in there. With all the roots in that area as well that will block its progress under the leaf, either it's somehow going to turn around to come back out, or stay stuck there permanently.