Phalaenopsis - roots or spikes? - Orchid Board

patriciams70 · #1 12-09-2010, 07:55 PM

Hi, I'm relatively new at growing orchids. My daughter gave me a pale lavender Phalaenopsis on Mothers' Day. I put it on top of a chest in front of four, big, South-facing windows. It bloomed for quite a while and when it stopped, I didn't cut the stem as it was still green. To my surprise, it has bloomed again, one rather large flower, and is making four more flowers. (I'm not sure of my orchid terminology.) I noticed today that there are several green spikes (?), or roots, I'm not sure which, coming from the bottom of the plant. I think they're spikes, as they're totally green from top to bottom. I do hope these are spikes and am excited to see what is going to happen next. I bought three more orchids, one Phalaenopsis, a Dendrobium and a Cattaleya, which may or may not make it as it was half dead when I bought it. The Phal. is blooming and is going to have four more blooms any time. Is this normal? The two Phals. are root bound but I can't repot them while they're still blooming. The Den. stalk has been cut but there's a new something forming. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Pat

BobInBonita · #2 12-09-2010, 10:09 PM

Welcome, and what a start you have!

Many phals will rebloom like yours. Enjoy it as long as the plant is healthy. The green shoots coming out of the bottom could easily be aerial roots. When my first phal developed them, I thought they were new spikes. Because they photosynthesize, they are green, so you don't always recognize them as roots. There is a chance that they're new spikes, but also a chance that they aren't.

When you say another phal was root bound, what exactly do you mean? Phals do well when they are potted tightly. A tight m,ass of healthy roots is no issue, but if the media is holding water or has been watered too often, the plant can develop root rot. Sometimes aerial roots are a plants defense against media that is too wet, and some plants just seem prone to growing them. If they turn upwards they will be spike, if they wander about aimlessly in the air, they are roots.

The Cattleya (and the dendrobiums) will want much more light than your phal. WHen you say the Cat was near death, can you describe symptoms better? Might be some advice here.

Welcome again.

JerseyGirlBecky · #3 12-09-2010, 10:13 PM

Lots of questions to answer. I think for the most part you can look at some other posts and even see pictures of air roots and spikes on the phals. the phals like to be crowded in the pots. But they need potting if they are in the spag. Don't keep them too wet or the roots will rot. This is the place for advice and you will get it from the pros.
But while you are waiting look up some other posts and maybe got some answers to your questions.
Good Luck, Becky

trdyl · #4 12-10-2010, 01:29 AM

Welcome to OB, Pat!

We love pictures plus they do help us answer your questions. Please post them if you can.

camille1585 · #5 12-10-2010, 06:24 AM

Another way to differenciate between spikes and roots is by the shape of the tip. Root tips are rounded, and an actively growing root will have a bright green tip. Spikes have flattened, mitten shaped ends. Spikes come the 'crotch' of a leaf, and usually on the next leaf up (on the other side of the previous spike). With several new nubbins growing on your plant, I'm assuming that most, maybe all are roots. It is the season for Phal spiking though, so you may have a spike among them.

When you repot, you probably can put them back in the same sized pot, with fresh medium. Orchids like to be tight in their pots, also since the medium will dry out much faster when there isn't much root free space.

patriciams70 · #6 12-10-2010, 10:33 AM

Hi Bob, I could be mistaken about the Phals being root bound since I just started growing orchids. The root/spike is flattened on the top and has tiny paw-like indentations; it doesn't look like a root, but time will tell. The Cattleya I bought at Lowes. It was marked down and the leaves looked shriveled. I've since learned that shriveled leaves probably means dead roots, right? I thought I could save it. I planted it in orchid bark, watered it, put it in my south-facing window on a tray with pebbles. It now has a new leaf. I water all my plants once a week, let them drain quite a while and return them to the tray. I can't believe how great they're doing. I want to go out and buy more. I have a space in my living room, South window, behind my couch, where I could place a lot of orchids. I'll have to have a long, slender table built to accommodate them. I never thought I'd be so ga-ga over orchids; they're a lot easier to grow than I thought. Also, thanks for the great advice. What other orchids do well in a south-facing window, inside? Thanks, Pat

patriciams70 · #7 12-10-2010, 10:37 AM

Becky, what is spag? Pat

patriciams70 · #8 12-10-2010, 10:38 AM

Thanks, I'll definitely take some pics ASAP. Pat

patriciams70 · #9 12-10-2010, 10:44 AM

Thanks, Camille, the roots/spikes (?) are flattened at the top and have tiny indentations on the ends. I do hope they're spikes. Also, I have all four of my orchids in orchid bark I bought from Lowes and they're on a cookie sheet lined with pebbles that I keep a little water in. I'm doing a lot of reading also. Are there any great orchid books that I should have? Also, should I mist my orchids? Thanks, Pat

camille1585 · #10 12-10-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patriciams70

Hi Bob, I could be mistaken about the Phals being root bound since I just started growing orchids. The root/spike is flattened on the top and has tiny paw-like indentations; it doesn't look like a root, but time will tell.

What you are describing sounds like a spike!

Quote:

Originally Posted by patriciams70

The Cattleya I bought at Lowes. It was marked down and the leaves looked shriveled. I've since learned that shriveled leaves probably means dead roots, right? I thought I could save it. I planted it in orchid bark, watered it, put it in my south-facing window on a tray with pebbles. It now has a new leaf.

The shriveling might not be from dead roots, it could be from lack of water. If it's growin a new lead than it sounds like it's doing OK. How are the bulbs? Are they plumping up with the regular waterings?

Quote:

Originally Posted by patriciams70

I have a space in my living room, South window, behind my couch, where I could place a lot of orchids. I'll have to have a long, slender table built to accommodate them. I never thought I'd be so ga-ga over orchids; they're a lot easier to grow than I thought. Also, thanks for the great advice. What other orchids do well in a south-facing window, inside? Thanks, Pat

That's one of the myths about orchids, that they're hard to grow! As for what you can grow in your south window, it also depends where you are located. You can grow more Catts. You can grow pretty much anything (that fits your temperature conditions) if you adjust the distance they are behind the window or use thin curtains to give the lower light growers some diffused light.