Dare I hope? My first spike?

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

And brassias usually grow two spikes. One from each side of the first leaf. Sometimes there is a pause between starts but if it was fed and watered well during it's growth phase then expect another spike shortly. Stake it when it gets long enough but these grow from the base so just tie a loop around the spike to help support it. Not a butterfly clip which will hold the spike at that point and start to bend the spike.

James, I'm surprised the poor thing is still alive and was SHOCKED to see that it's spiked. I really did kill it's entire existing root system. I think orchids with pseudo bulbs are more my speed because they're so much more forgiving than those without, my poor Phals have suffered terribly under my "care" and I'm still trying to find a balance with them. I won't give up on them and will hopefully learn to meet their needs but I won't be adding any more to my collection unless I can...

I just went up and snuck a peek inside the other leaf and there's the remains of an old/cut spike on that side....should I still keep a look out for a new spike to emerge from there?

[james mickelso]

No. If it has an old spike then that is it. Sometimes there is no pause between spikes but often there is. My Brassia Rex Sakata just finished blooming for this year and there was a month between spikes. That was cool. I enjoyed it longer. Brassias seem to want to grow a batch of pbulbs before flowering so if yours doesn't flower next season, don't despair. A few years ago one of the divisions threw 5 spikes with about 30 flowers each. The previous year there was only two spikes off an old pbulb. They like medium/high light levels and lots of water if there is excellent drainage. Warm and windy is a must. Thin roots which rot easily. But oh so rewarding if grown right. Very easy to grow. Oh, and oncids grow roots from new pbulbs and once the pbulb is finished growing, the roots actually are there as storage for the new growth. That is why you got the spike with no roots. The pbulb usually has enough energy stored to spike and flower as long as it was fattened up when growing. Phals are the same. In fact most orchids will spike and flower on mature pbulbs as long as conditions when they were growing and forming the bud primordial were good. That is why you can take old back bulbs and grow new plants. Pbulbs are just like seeds of terrestrial plants. They have all that is needed to grow new plants.