Phal flower stalk attacking plant! - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 01-23-2011, 11:23 AM

Now I got your attention, lol... BTW, it took me almost a month and a half to realize what was happening as well!

So, at first I noticed what I thought was either a root or a flower stalk starting to form at the base of one of my phal's. As always, I waited to see what happens. Well, in the waiting process I watched the growth go up, and then circle back down, so I thought it might be a root. Then it appeared to just stop growing, but in reality it had circled back upon itself at the base of the orchid and was "feeling" it's way up the base of the phal towards the bottom leaf looking for a weak spot I guess.

When I finally noticed baby buds, I thought it was a bit strange that they were so close to the base of the plant, but I figured that it would just be on off year for this particular phal. But when I turned it around the other day, I noticed that there was a thin flower stalk on the other side coming from what I thought was a root as well. After looking into it for a good long time attempting to figure out what was happening, I realized that the stalk wasn't as long as it usually is because it had turned on itself and broken through the base of the bottom leaf while attempting to escape the circle it had trapped itself in. The bottom leaf is split in half at the base and the flower stalk continues to push it's way through.

Needless to say, it will be an unusual blooming phal this year as all the flowers will be literally starting to bloom from inside of the phal!

When it flowers, I will post a pic so you guys can see how odd it is.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 01-23-2011, 12:20 PM

Have you ever not paid attention to the orientation of the plant in relation to the sun when you water and place the orchid back?

If so, that's probably why this is happening.

When the orchid grows a spike, the spike orients itself to the direction of the light source, or the sun.

Rotating the plant every-which-way, can make the spike twist in all sorts of directions.

Sometimes it's a genetic issue, probably due to repeated cloning.

Paul Mc · #3 01-23-2011, 12:26 PM

I do pay attention to the plant in relation to the sun, especially when bloom stalks are developing or expected. Since I did not know what this was at first, I did not turn the plant during this time. If I had turned it then I would completely understand why this had happened as you have stated.

I just find this to be a peculiar and fascinating anomoly and thought I'd share it with everyone. I'm not in the least bit concerned about it nor really trying to understand it. It is what it is, lol...

Nature never ceases to amaze!

Zoi2 · #4 01-23-2011, 12:38 PM

The abnormal anticts are pretty fascinating and I can't wait for your bloom photos.
Joann

Daethen · #5 01-23-2011, 01:16 PM

It looks like it tied itself in a knot!!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 01-23-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I do pay attention to the plant in relation to the sun, especially when bloom stalks are developing or expected. Since I did not know what this was at first, I did not turn the plant during this time. If I had turned it then I would completely understand why this had happened as you have stated.

I just find this to be a peculiar and fascinating anomoly and thought I'd share it with everyone. I'm not in the least bit concerned about it nor really trying to understand it. It is what it is, lol...

Nature never ceases to amaze!

Oh, okay!

You ever seen those twisty lucky bamboo? Kinda looks like a smaller, thinner, red version of that too me.

Natural anomalies does give life just a bit of a twist.

Paul Mc · #7 01-23-2011, 01:23 PM

You are right! It does sort of resemble lucky bamboo, lol... Too funny!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 01-23-2011, 01:25 PM

Well then, maybe if you make a wish, good fortune will come your way!

camille1585 · #9 01-23-2011, 01:28 PM

I have a phal that has done that two years in a row. The spike starts out straight, then it doubles back to circle back up through the leaf base. The first year it managed 2 blooms, this year is got so stuck that the spike aborted (and then the plant started a new spike which promptly did the exact same thing). I'm starting to think that the plant is a dud, it's incapable of spiking normally! It's not light orientation related in my case as far as I can tell, the plant is under lights.