Leaves on Flower Spike...but not keiki?

[Tone]

Hello all!

I'm not necessarily "new" to orchids, but I'm far from a pro. After 2 years of some careful care, massive growth and several repots, my orchid officially has a spike full of buds!

but strangely...

I have 2 old spikes that i decided to keep post-bloom, because why not? Initially it appeared we were going to grow some keikis, but then they kept growing out, with more leaves. So what i have here is 2 - 2yr old spikes with single spikes on each that are now about 8inches long. I have never seen leaves on a spike before. Is this common? Can they be snipped and propagated after they eventually bloom? I'm a bit worried there will be issues with the lateral weight, and i'm not crazy about the stilts all over the place keeping plants upright, especially in this plants case it would look like a suspension bridge.

Additionally, i'm getting roots growing ABOVE leaves, which is starting to split them, and a single leaf that decided to grow upside down.

I love this orchid because it's so unique compared to others, but I just can't help shake the thought that it's a mutant with no direction!

I care for it about 4 times per week, wiping leaves with a damp paper towel, soaking the bark potting soil and letting it drain, etc. It gets about 2-3hrs of direct sunlight per day, with easily 8-10hrs of indirect depending on the season. It has a very steady 70 degree space. I don't feel like it has any reason to be so wonky. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[bil]

Those just look like leaves, and not keikis. Yeah, sometimes the roots grow tight to the leaves it's no biggie. It might split the odd leaf, but that's life, I'm afraid.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

This is all normal behavior for a happy Phalaenopsis hybrid. Congratulations!

[PaphMadMan]

It all sounds well within the normal range of growth patterns to me. If anything, I would say your plant is growing a bit too exuberantly to control itself. Many people would trade their least-favored offspring for a problem like that. Take a deep breath, admit to yourself that you can't control everything, and enjoy.

[Tone]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

It all sounds well within the normal range of growth patterns to me. If anything, I would say your plant is growing a bit too exuberantly to control itself. Many people would trade their least-favored offspring for a problem like that. Take a deep breath, admit to yourself that you can't control everything, and enjoy.

Yea, it sure doesn't seem unhealthy by any means. The spike's leaves being purple seemed a bit off, but they are pretty hearty. It's strange that they are so drastically different in size, shape, color, and texture to the rest of the plant's leaves. I'm not sure i know of another plant to have more than one type of leaf.

Strangely I have 5 other orchids, 2 are significantly older than this one, that have never done leaves on the spikes, new or old...although i do admit this one for whatever reason took about a year longer to grow a new spike in the first place.

[PaphLover]

Hard to tell based on the pictures, but in the second photo it appears the spike is growing from the crown of the plant. Is it?

If so, it's called a terminal spike. I saw one at a store recently that had both leaves and buds growing from it.

[No-Pro-mwa]

The purple leaves only mean it is getting allot of light, I think and also some just do that. I have a few.

Very strange looking but hay, it's growing a spike, I say cool.

[Tone]

Originally Posted by PaphLover

Hard to tell based on the pictures, but in the second photo it appears the spike is growing from the crown of the plant. Is it?

If so, it's called a terminal spike. I saw one at a store recently that had both leaves and buds growing from it.

The spikes grew from near the roots. I wonder if it's permanent. Some of my orchids kept their spikes, but most seem to have had the spike wither after blooming. This particular orchid kept it's old spikes, so i'm hopeful. At least it is a bit more to look at when there are no buds left.

[jackpot]

Hi Tone,

I'm a little late to the party but just wanted to share something.
I've had this orchid for a little less than a year so I don't know much about it's growing habits yet.
But, this orchid came with 2 spikes in bloom, and when they were done blooming the spikes did not dry out just like yours.

Also, it has leaves on the spikes, and the new spike also developed leaves, and the spike looked really strange in the beginning. I'm adding a pic, and just curious, did your spike start out odd looking as well?

I did notice that the spike this one is making is a lot stronger than other phal spikes. They almost do not bend and are quite big from the beginning. I only recently was able to stake the spike. The spike is so strong the whole plant turned with it.

This is one of the leaves on the new spike.


This is the entire phal. It might be difficult to see with that background, but there are 3 spikes total, 2 are old, 1 new, and the new one as well as one old one has those leaves.


This one is just for fun, but you can see how the spike started out big. Did this happen for you as well?

[Delectable]

Hi all!

I've just noticed I have the same issue.
Single small leaf in the middle of flower stalks. What am I to do please?

What happened to yours?

I can imagine a heavy leaf in the middle of a flower stalk being held up.