OMGoodness...I Have A SPIKE!

[james mickelso]

deep shade can also push spikes. Kool is a relative term. 10*f drop can also do it.

[VMStearns]

Deep shade I can definitely manage. I can pull the drapes in the spare room where I usually keep my orchids when they are not in bloom (everything is either outside now or near large windows for the summer sunshine), and I was thinking of playing with a "cooling" box of Styrofoam and dry ice that might cool a small area down 10-15 degrees during the day. Nights here are generally cool (50's right now with 70's highs)

Thanks for the advice. I am definitely feeling more confident with my orchids and excited to be learning more about them.

[james mickelso]

You have enough cooling if your diurnal temps are 50-70. That should do it.

[VMStearns]

"COOL" <giggle>

[Kerry78]

Aww that is a pity it's not a spike but still a root is
Still exciting nether less

My Orchids love surprising me I've got 5 plants with 1 leaf each growing others with budding areas and another with new stem lol all good really I think if you leave them alone
Forget about them till watering then it makes it fun come watering period instead of checking every second lol

[VMStearns]

I agree 100% Kerry. I have about 13 ochids now, most of them phals, but some Oncidiums, and one each Catt, Paph, Cym, and 4 micro-minis that live happily in a terrarium.

because of their different watering needs, I check them daily, and only water when they need it, which might be twice a week, weekly, or if its really humid every 10 days. I do love fussing with them, but need to remember the required "benign neglect" !

[lotis146]

Congrats on your progress both with your plant and your confidence and knowledge as a grower. Both are awesome things to experience.

I had this same occurrence, the root vs. spike issue, a couple months ago now. I thought one of the Orchids that brought me to this board was in spike because it was growing a root just like your from between the leaves. I was so so excited, then it got a little bigger and I realized, nope, it's a root. BUT while I haven't gotten a spike yet this plant has put out some roots esp. considering how crappy they were to start.

So good luck to you and do keep us posted. I'm curious about the blooms to this plant. I have a Minho Princess x Lightning, love that guy.