phal root or leaf

[sii]

thanks all! My only worry is that it is directly below a leaf. Maybe when it gets a little longer I can coax is around the leaf.

Hope to post soon!!

[RosieC]

I think you should be able to coax it gently. I have do do that sometimes, althogh often they will work their own way arround.

[jrodpad]

I've heard of folks using styrofoam peanuts as little wedges to gently coax growing spikes in the right direction. I've never tried it myself though. Maybe someone here has experience with this technique and can chime in?

Good luck with the new spike and good growing.

-J

[sii]

Thanks all!
As I'm still learning what is best for all my orchids, and have lost some along the way, I'm going to let nature take its course. Hopefully when it hits the leaf (it's just about there) it'll figure out what to do.

I'll keep watching!

[sii]

Okay, so it's been about 3 weeks and my phal stem continues to grow.

I don't want to damge the stem, but should I stake it to something? It looks so fragile. I'm worried it will grow sideways. I'm sure that's what it wants to do, but I won't know what to do!!!

What to do next?

[sweetjblue]

You could put in a stake at this point. Gradually upping the placement of clips as it grows to make it more upright.
Maybe if you tried orienting it to your light source more you could get it out from under the leaves.

Good Luck!

Judi

[sii]

Thanks sweetjblue. I wasn't sure if I should wait until it gets longer.
I'll try that out. It's in a yogurt container so maybe a popsicle stick will have to do for now.

[sii]

So this is where we are since April. Stem is alot longer.

The second picture is the mother plant of this keiki. Just waiting for some colour.

[GardenTheater]

Wow, keiki has really made some great progress and mother plant looks like she's trying to catch up. Look forward to seeing the blooms.

[josterha]

Definitely a spike!