Terminal spike questions

[thepurplewhale]

Been looking through the board and the net about terminal spikes, and there are a couple of things I haven't found an answer to. I may not here...but always worth a try!

1. Can you create a keiki off of a terminal spike bud or does the plant only create basal keikis with the last bloom?

2. Specifically for phals...is there an "average" number of years the phal will bloom before it produces the terminal spike? Doe it depend upon how many sets of leaves, how many flower spikes the plant already produced, etc? Just an average folks as I'm sure it also depends upon the genetics of the plant, growing conditions, whether it gets talked to on a daily basis (haha).

Thanks for any input!

All is grace,
-Laura

[Dollythehun]

That is a good question, as I have a terminal growth also. We'll wait for the answer together. And, welcome to the OB.

[aliceinwl]

I agree, good questions! I also have a Phal with terminal spike and am curious about the progression.

[sweetjblue]

Once you have a terminal spike the plant will never grow new leaves from the growing point, that's why its called terminal. But I'm sure you already know this.

It doesn't matter the age of the plant or the number of leaves the plant has.

Your plant may however produce basal keikis. As far as producing a keiki from the terminal spike I don't have experience with that but have been told its not a good idea to try for one there, something to do with issues with the tissue of the terminal spike.

I was also told that the best keiki from such a plant would be the one farthest away from the spike, the lowest on the main stem. Again something to do with the tissue of the plant. It would also be possible that such a plant produced from any keiki of a terminal spike plant may also end up having terminal spikes itself.

Sorry I can't be more clear but it's been awhile since I was given this info. The source of my info was from a phal grower of many years and much experience.

I would say that if you feel so inclined, go for it but just don't expect too much. You never know though you may get lucky. Always worth a shot in my opinion.

[Fairorchids]

In most cases, it is a totally random event.

I don't grow Phals, but I have seen it in various Vandaceous plants (both hybrids and species). I have had it happen a single time on a number of plants, and repeatedly on two plants (which readily set basal keikis).

[Dollythehun]

Mine has a keiki coming from the plant itself, about halfway up the "trunk." I also notice those leaves are extremely brittle, as I have broken a few taking it on and off the shelf.

[aliceinwl]

Mine looks to be a young first bloom plant. It doesn’t have any keikis yet. I didn’t notice that the spike was terminal until I went to repot it.

[berthabloom]

Could someone post a photo of a terminal spike? I'm not familiar with that term or concept. Would love to learn about it!

[Dollythehun]

Try this from Peter Lin:
Big Leaf Orchid forum • View topic - Terminal Spike

[thepurplewhale]

Dollythehun...thank you for finding that article. That was one of the first pieces about terminal spikes I read! Thanks for the warm welcome too. (blush)

Sweetjblue...I was wondering the same thing! If the bud tissue on the terminal spike would be "different" from the nodes on a lateral floral spike.

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my questions! I don't have a terminal spike, however I would like to try to clone my first phal (sentimental reasons as well as I wanna try to create one!) before a terminal one starts.