I broke the tip off my spike..What now?

[Prairie Girl]

While I was tying a spike which is only three inches high I accidentally broke the tip off. What do I do now? Or is there anything I can do. Will a damaged spike like this grow a Kiki?

[FairyInTheFlowers]

First off, !!! It is great to see a new orchid grower, especially one from the same city as I! As for the question, it depends on the health of the Phalaenopsis. If the spike is large enough, it might make a branch from lower on the stem, or if it really wants to bloom, it may make a whole new one!

[Prairie Girl]

Thank you for the welcome fellow Saskatooneon.
Should I put cinnamon on the broken spike?
When you mentioned if the spike is large enough do you mean thick or tall?
Thank again

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by Prairie Girl

Thank you for the welcome fellow Saskatooneon.
Should I put cinnamon on the broken spike?
When you mentioned if the spike is large enough do you mean thick or tall?
Thank again

Yes, cinnamon would be a good idea to put on the end. And by large enough, I did mean lenght. All Phalaenopsis spikes produce nodes along the length of their spikes, so if yours was long enough to produce a node or two, there is a possibility that one of those nodes produces a branch.

[RosieC]

I agree with Cody. Sometimes the nodes can be right near the bottom, so even with a very short looking spike you might be luckly. I had one break when only about 1cm high and it managed to branch and carry on growing. Others might need a longer spike, but I would leave it just in case :

[flexdc]

First off we have all broken spikes before! I have done my fair share and I still do it! I am so clumsy.
Your plant might branch, if not, it might send up another spike if it is a big healthy plant. Good luck.
Andrew

[NYCorchidman]

Yeah, there's nothing you can do at this point. Just wait and see.