Phal with no spike, but has a root that won't stop growing

[Raqsharqi]

Chani, for what it's worth: I just went out to check on my orchids and one phal that has been through hell and back is finally producing something that looks like a spike. I've had the plant for maybe two years and almost lost it twice (once because I didn't check the roots and once because of leaf fungus), and had given up hope of seeing anything this year. I'm wondering if the plants noticed the slight shift in light, now that we're past the winter solstice.

Even when it spikes, though, you will have a long wait before you see flowers. If you need cheering, it might have to come from a new orchid! :-)

[Chani]

Originally Posted by Raqsharqi

Chani, for what it's worth: I just went out to check on my orchids and one phal that has been through hell and back is finally producing something that looks like a spike. I've had the plant for maybe two years and almost lost it twice (once because I didn't check the roots and once because of leaf fungus), and had given up hope of seeing anything this year. I'm wondering if the plants noticed the slight shift in light, now that we're past the winter solstice.

Even when it spikes, though, you will have a long wait before you see flowers. If you need cheering, it might have to come from a new orchid! :-)

Thank you for the uplifting words! And you're right, a new orchid may just be the way to go

[lauraeli]

You said the newest leave is thinner. It is worth noting that elongated thin leaves occur due to low light levels.

[Chani]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

You said the newest leave is thinner. It is worth noting that elongated thin leaves occur due to low light levels.

Yup, I had read that. It's another reason I'm concerned about the level of light my orchid's getting.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Yep, going to have to agree with you may just have to have patience. I know it's hard but then you can go out and get another. If room is your problem get a mini phal. I have some of these and they are easy to take care of and don't take much room. They also seem to bloom easier or at least in my mind.

Some of mine are spiking now but it will be some time before they will bloom. If yours was in bloom last spring I think it is just to soon to be spiking again. I had one last year that started in December last year and had 2 spikes. One was 2 foot long. It is still not spiking yet. I think it is taking it longer to recover that the other ones.

But it looks good and healthy so patients grasshopper.

[Chani]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Yep, going to have to agree with you may just have to have patience. I know it's hard but then you can go out and get another. If room is your problem get a mini phal. I have some of these and they are easy to take care of and don't take much room. They also seem to bloom easier or at least in my mind.

Some of mine are spiking now but it will be some time before they will bloom. If yours was in bloom last spring I think it is just to soon to be spiking again. I had one last year that started in December last year and had 2 spikes. One was 2 foot long. It is still not spiking yet. I think it is taking it longer to recover that the other ones.

But it looks good and healthy so patients grasshopper.

Hahahaha, I will strive for patience .

May try a mini-phal. Not certain where to get orchids around here, so I may have to start another thread for that. Although I've seen beautiful orchids online, the shipping's a killer money-wise. And I'd really like to pick out a plant in person (which I actually did not do for my phal.)

The space issue comes mostly from a combination of having a cat (and almost no spot she can't get to), as well as a limited amount of light due to houses being so crowded together in my neighborhood (sigh). And housemates being rather unaccommodating regarding making adjustments made for my phal.

Wow, a two-foot long spike! That's impressive! Mine had two spikes, but certainly not that long. Well, for now, I'll have to have patience. Still puzzled over why just one root is growing while all the others have stopped growing a long time ago...

[No-Pro-mwa]

Yes it was a bit unrulie, as I did not get it trained to go straight up so it went out. Good thing I have more room than you do.

Does NY have Albertsons? That's where I have gotten all my noid mini phals. I have 4 and I have gotten 2 for my mother and one for my sister and then she went and got another one. I had to refrain getting another just the other day. Also I have seen them at Wal-Mart. Allot of people on here get them at Trader Joes but we don't have those in Wyoming or at least I have never seen one.

How about setting up a light in your bed room. Maybe your larger one can stay where it is and you can get a couple of mini's to put under a light in your bedroom do you see what I am doing?

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Yes it was a bit unrulie, as I did not get it trained to go straight up so it went out. Good thing I have more room than you do.

I have one Phal schilleriana now with a 28" spike, and I always forget to stake them (it was longer last blooming, when I had taken better care of it)... It's really in the way and I guess it'll tip the entire plant again when the flowers start to open.

[Skycat]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

I have one Phal schilleriana now with a 28" spike, and I always forget to stake them (it was longer last blooming, when I had taken better care of it)... It's really in the way and I guess it'll tip the entire plant again when the flowers start to open.

I have a blooming Phal that I didn't stake because I thought it would be more interesting to just let it do its own thing. It went all the way to one side and made it kind of difficult to figure out how to transport when I wanted to show it off at the OS.

And now the flowers are getting roughed up by a badly-placed chair

[No-Pro-mwa]

Luckily I use willow stakes so I can usually put them in and let them sort of hold them up so they won't break.