Is this a spike or root?

[katsjam]

Hello,

A friend and I both have orchids at work. Mine has bloomed 3 times in the past 2 years in my office while her spike died. In hopes that my office was the trick, I've been trying to get her orchid to spike. I placed it for a week in the restroom (dark and coldish) and then brought back to my cabinet in front of a window.

Today I noticed the growth in the photo. Can anyone tell me if this is a spike or am I getting excited over a root?

Thanks

[Dollythehun]

Since I have been told I am harsh, unloving and unkind...I will bear the bad news...It is a nice fat new...Root. 😆

I don't think being in a dark cool room will spur bloom. There is debate (heated) about a chilling period for phals. I don't see it myself, mine bloom when they are darned ready! I just had two spike in the last month and it has been very warm here. What other difference is there between your growing habits?
Oh! Welcome on board ( pun intended).

[katsjam]

Thanks Dollythehun. Darn it, it looks different than the roots my orchid throws out I've really done nothing with my orchid other than to water it every 1-3 weeks. I'd read an article that said orchids need a season change to spike, hence the cool & darker bathroom. Do you or anyone know of any tricks to get it to spike?

Thanks

[bil]

They like cold nights, with a certain difference between night and day.

[Dollythehun]

I do not. Mine are in a greenhouse window and the temperature does vary as the thermostat goes down at night. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with mine spiking. I have read that some orchids are just reluctant to rebloom...And maybe this is the case.

Just an FYI, see how pinkish/red that new root is, and how it has tiny freckles? That's the sign of a nice root. A spike would look "sharper" pointier.

I assume the light is the same for both and you both water the same? What point of your growing habits is different? Fertilizer? That is a nice looking plant, btw.

[GoldStar135]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Just an FYI, see how pinkish/red that new root is, and how it has tiny freckles? That's the sign of a nice root. A spike would look "sharper" pointier.

I believe root tips are also glossier than flower spikes.

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by bil

They like cold nights, with a certain difference between night and day.

bil, I don't do that. So, why is one blooming and not the other.? The office is the same temp for both.

[katsjam]

I'm not sure why mine flowers and hers doesn't. We're both on the east side of the building, but my cabinet is closer to the window I guess. I tend to water mine once every 2-3 weeks and she was doing the ice until we switched. I've attached a photo of my orchid.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Since I have been told I am harsh, unloving and unkind...I will bear the bad news...It is a nice fat new...Root. 😆

I don't think being in a dark cool room will spur bloom. There is debate (heated) about a chilling period for phals. I don't see it myself, mine bloom when they are darned ready! I just had two spike in the last month and it has been very warm here. What other difference is there between your growing habits?
Oh! Welcome on board ( pun intended).

First, ANYONE who says that Carol is "harsh, unloving and unkind" needs to talk to me. I'll show them what's "harsh, unloving and unkind", though they won't like it.

Now, what you have is a new root. However, a new root is a good sign of health. Orchids produce roots to gain energy to grow leaves and flower stems/flowers. Celebrate that root!

Some Phals are more in need of the day/night differential than others. A lot of the latest hybrids are so far removed from the jungle that they've forgotten about needs like temperature differential and so bloom when they bloom. There are some, though, which need to feel a temperature differential at least for a week or two in order to initiate a spike.

[Dollythehun]

So, Jkofferdahl, you liked the dark bathroom idea?

What can we suggest to help her???

---------- Post added at 05:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

Originally Posted by katsjam

I'm not sure why mine flowers and hers doesn't. We're both on the east side of the building, but my cabinet is closer to the window I guess. I tend to water mine once every 2-3 weeks and she was doing the ice until we switched. I've attached a photo of my orchid.

No ice!!! Please, no ice. Tell her to do exactly what you are doing. Is the potting medium the same? If all conditions are the same, have her match yours. Under the Phalenopsis forum, there is a thread titled "The Phal Abuse Stops Here," it would be informative to read that.