Broken stem or growth?!

[AshleighJade]

Hey guys,

Brace yourselves for a very stupid question. . . .

I bought this mini phal a few days ago, and originally I thought that the second stem had broken off before I bought it, but it hasn't started to brown or anything so now I'm wondering if its actually a growing stem?!

Thanks in advanced x

[Bud]

Its not a stupid question. You are right in posting this thread....its a mechanical damage . The tip of the spike was accidentally cut off on its formative stage. It will grow longer and the other nodes might produce flowers.

[Miss_Cat]

Hi Ashleigh,
Not a 100% sure but from your photos it looks like the spike snapped and what we see is its node sheath. Snapping the top off a spike has happened to me before and unfortunately it stopped growing. You can try cutting the broken spike right above the 2nd node and see if a side spike will be produced. If it does, it might take a while to grow and eventually flower.

[AshleighJade]

Thanks guys,
Thought it had been snapped off but just thought id let the experts tell me!!

She really is a beautiful phal!

Happy growing!!

[The Orchidist]

exactly what happened to me 10 minutes ago , a double spiked phal lookin real good , i just happened to reach across my growing area , not noticing my sleeve of my sweater , caught on to the tip and poof i see it laying in the tray , I almost cried , i guess i will have a rather unusual looking double and a half spike plant now .

[MattWoelfsen]

It is said that misery loves company, so I can empathize with you. I just watered my Phal--a plant I rescued many years ago, bloomed every year with many lovely white flowers. It was growing a spike that looked like it was on its way to growing a dozen flowers. I put it back in its place by the window, when bam, I pushed it too close to the window and snapped off all but two buds!