Phalaenopsis terminal spike

[kiki-do]

Hi Diane,
I would wait just a few weeks to see if new growth emerges from that spike. That happens more often than not. If at the end of a couple weeks nothing happens, then cut the spike down to the top of the second node. Use sterile scissors and dab a little cinnamon on the place that you cut. That should do it. Good luck.
Terri, I have never heard of a terminal spike. What causes this to happen? Like someone else said, it looks like a healthy plant. Thanks for any info you can give.

[tbaenziger]

Diane,
First, I'm assuming you've never 'cut back' before. Here is one way of doing it, with a warning. Get something sharp, like a razor blade, not scissors (which crush the stem rather than cutting it). You may sterilize the blade with alcohol before using it, but it is not necessary if the blade is unused. You will want to throw it away afterwards, so use something cheap. Now run your fingers down the stem of the inflorescence (also called 'spike') and you will feel bumps all along where the individual flowers were before, further down the bumps are smooth, not jagged. These are called dormant nodes and they will provide new flowering spikes, one or two. Cut on a slant just above one of these dormant bumps (don't cut the node itself but above it). In a few weeks the plant will start growing new flowers. Now the warning: Do not do this more than once on an inflorescence. Today's Phalaenopsis are strong bloomers and will literally bloom themselves to death if you put too much stress on them by making them bloom too much. After the flowers fall the second time, cut the spike under (note: under) the last node. It will turn brown and eventually fall off, and the plant will produce a new inflorescence from another section between the leaves when it is ready to do so. By making it rebloom you may have to wait longer for the new spikes, however, since the plant has expended a lot of reserves. In nature many Phalaenopsis will rebloom and then take a prolonged rest.
Good luck, and if there are any further questions, please don't be afraid to ask; there are lots of good people in the forum willing to help.

[quiltergal]

Kiki, it's just one of those weird genetic hiccups that happen every now and then. Unfortunately if the plant doesn't produce a Keiki it's done for. It can't form new leaves, and will slowly wither away and die. I've not had it happen to me yet thank goodness.