Phal violacea spike??? - Orchid Board

Mtownbootgirl · #1 11-06-2015, 10:19 PM

Is this a spike poking through? It doesn't look like a root.

Excuse the dirty bark. I haven't had it very long and haven't repotted.

Really hoping this is a spike!

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gerneveyn · #2 11-07-2015, 03:16 AM

Yes, that's a spike! Don't worry about the bark. Algae happens. Repot if you prefer to grow in another medium.

Mtownbootgirl · #3 11-07-2015, 04:04 PM

Yay!! Now hopefully I can get it actually bloom. I have a problem with buds dying on me.

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Leafmite · #4 11-07-2015, 04:08 PM

A way not to lose buds is to make certain your air is not too dry and the environment is free from drafts (warm or cool).

Mtownbootgirl · #5 11-07-2015, 04:55 PM

Oh that could be it. It's hard to keep them at a consistent temp. I'll have to baby them more.

I have a fan pointed at them. It's on low and 4-5 feet away but it's still enough to wiggle leafs. Is that a no-no?

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estación seca · #6 11-07-2015, 05:09 PM

Too much wind. They grow on tree trunks, and there's not much wind down that low. Point the fan in another direction.

Mtownbootgirl · #7 11-07-2015, 05:34 PM

Okay I'll move the fan. Thank you!

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wintergirl · #8 11-07-2015, 06:05 PM

My fan never blows directly on my plants, good advice estacion seca.
Mtownbootgirl, it's good to know your humidity where your plants are. If you don't have a gauge, they sell digital temp/humidity thermometers for about $10-$15 at Lowes ect. Then you can adjust with a humidifier if you need. I try to keep the humidity around 50% in the room where my plants are. When it falls below I turn on the humidifier until it's back up to 50.

Mtownbootgirl · #9 11-07-2015, 06:21 PM

I have one. My humidity is 55-70%. I'm in the Pacific Northwest so I'm lucky to have higher humidity. That's the frustrating part when I lose buds...I'm not sure what went wrong and what to change.

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Mtownbootgirl · #10 11-07-2015, 06:24 PM

Could it be the fan? I've lost 4 out of 5 buds in the past few months. I had one that made it and is now open. So frustrating.

I was under the impression that if you could get them to spike and bud...you were home free.

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