Set times for flower spikes?

[sapphireeyes27]

Hi there!

I was wondering if there was a specific time for the flower spike to begin. I believe that I read somewhere that the late fall/early winter is a normal time, but I may have just made that up in my mind.

I only started with orchids last May, and I only have phalaneopsis. I have never had one when it began to produce a flower spike, but I think my one phal is doing it now. I have five in total. One isn't doing too well, but the others seem to be doing very well. They have noticable root growth, and three of those have produced new leaves in the past month.

One of my phals (all I know is that the guy I got it from said it will have yellow spotted flowers) has a thick light green root-looking thing that is growing out of the crown (at least, I think that's what it's called).

So, my questions are:

a. Is this the typical time for flower spikes to start?

and

b. Should I do anything special now that my phal may be growing one?

Thanks!

Rachel

[Lagoon]

Can't say for sure and I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like a root to me. Which is good too
Lots of phals bloom this time of year, some during the spring and others (species) during the hotter months - wonderful summer time.

Can you get a clearer shot of the outer crown area again?

[kiki-do]

Looks like a root to me also. I was always told that spikes on Phals come out from under/between the leaves at the very center of where a leaf vein is but on the crown and never anywhere else. Hummm, I didn't explain that well, did I. Sorry! All the rest are roots. And so far, I see that it is true with mine. This is the time of year mine spike due to temp drops in the evenings. They need that to stimulate spiking. I wish I had a pic of one in spike to post so it would make more sense. My explanations leave lots to be desired.
kiki-do

[mayres]

Hi Rachel - Yes this IS the most typical time of year for phals to be spiking - but depending upon genetics and culture it can happen other times as well. Like noted by previous posts, I also believe you have a new root developing - which as noted is also good. Typically the cool late fall or early winter nights help trigger the spiking process - are you giving them a cool evening?

[Neverend]

A root in my opinion.

[Ray]

Genetically, many of the white-to-pink-to-purple hybrids tend to be winter bloomers, as they respond to temperature, growing best when very warm, but not blooming until they perceive that the overall temperatures are lowering.

Reds and yellows tend to be far more variable, but are not so temperature-triggered, and generally put on their biggest shows in the summer.

The more complex the hybrid, the less well they stick to those guidelines, but even species can be "tricked" (to the good or not) by your conditions.