Phal keiki or new spike?

[cythaenopsis]

This is happening on the 2nd node from the top of the main spike, which was cut from the last bloom cycle earlier this year. The phal doesn't have any sign of other spike growth.

I have no idea what a keiki looks like in the initial stages upon sprouting from a spike. Will it be very similar to a new spike? I did some image searching on the Internet and couldn't find much. My gut instinct is that this is a new spike. The plant isn't as well established enough to have the energy to produce a keiki, I think.

[Daethen]

I don't see a picture.

[cythaenopsis]

It's there... maybe your browser is blocking it for some reason? It is hosted on Photobucket. Link is here.

[Daethen]

This time it came up. This site has been acting weird on me all day. It looks like a subspike to me. Not a keiki or there would be a leaf. More flowers in your future.

[zxyqu]

Agreed, though early, it does look like a branched spike.

[cythaenopsis]

Thanks for confirming. So, the plant is gearing up for the flowering cycle, which means that it won't be growing any new leaves for now.

[zxyqu]

No necessarily, I've got phals that throw roots/spikes/and leaves all at the same time. Keep them healthy, and they'll surprise you.

[cythaenopsis]

Ok, will keep that in mind Jarad.

[RosieC]

I agree, it looks like a side spike starting. Like others mine can throw spikes, leaves and roots all at the same time when they are happy.

[cythaenopsis]

Speaking of happy... wow, this spike is growing rapidly! The shot above was 4 days ago. Here's how it is now:



Also, another spike is forming at the top node of the old spike.


This phal went through a bit of a rough period. I had a fungus gnat infestation that returned, although not nearly as bad as before. I had to trim a lot of roots. But, thankfully there are new roots growing. I pulled it for an inspection and this photo shows measurable growth. There's also two new spike nubs on the other side.



This was my very first phal and unfortunately suffered from my newbie mistake of over watering. Hopefully I'll be better with the moisture control this time. Once it has a better root system going, I'll shift to a bark and clay balls mix. I just hope the lack of roots at this critical growing period won't inhibit a nice abundance of flowers. I had about 10 flowers off this phal last bloom season (the 2nd phal that was in the same pot had 6).