Dend. phaleanopsis type spike initialization

[WaterWitchin]

Scape=Spike

[camille1585]

But can you call a spike a scape on Dendrobiums? The AOS defines it as "an unbranched inflorescence with one flower." (Paphs for instance).

[Dollythehun]

I've started three messages, the OB won't let me post them because it won't close the attachment window. All of them were sarcastic, so it's just as well. Whatever (nomenclature) we are to call this structure might best served in a new post? The original post was about stimulation of bloom. So, I will admit I am wrong in my terminology:

Scape (botany - Wikipedia)

[Paphluvr]

Originally Posted by camille1585

But can you call a spike a scape on Dendrobiums? The AOS defines it as "an unbranched inflorescence with one flower." (Paphs for instance).

I think this is a poor definition. One of my Paph. callosum is going to be bi-floral this season, so by AOS definitions it's not forming on a spike? I wouldn't consider the second flower a "branch". And what about the Cochlopetalum section of Paphs? I would still call it a spike when I see something emerge on a P. glaucophyllum but it certainly has more than one flower. I'm not trying to be argumentative here, just somewhat disagreeing with the definition.

[camille1585]

I'm sorry to have shared information that I believed was correct, I assumed the AOS website was an accurate source of information.

[WaterWitchin]

Dolly says " Interesting how language can make things complicated." I think it's more human beings interpreting language that complicates. Semantics... gotta love it. The word "scapes" is a very murky word, in definition. Someone in the overall floral world wouldn't have a doubt about the meaning. Call it a stalk, a stem, a spike, a scape, a long thing with flower buds... it's casual language.

My experience with DenPhals... all appear to require a reduced photoperiod to produce flowers well and often. Temperature can effect how quickly the spike and subsequent blooms appear. I had and have quite a few, as I consider them blooming machines.

When I grew them under natural light, without extra lighting, there was a definitive bloom season. When I grew them in my basement for more than half a year at a time, they went down there under lights prior to day length from growing outside being very shortened. I had some that never did much as they were under timed lights for 12 hour days. In order to induce blooms, I had to move them to a different area and reduce lighting to produce blooms. (Took me three years to figure that one out.)

Now they're on a "windowwall" ...commonly known to most as a sunroom that's all window, plus under lights, year-round, they bloom as they did with natural light. Because I group them in the same area, and turn off the light for that area. Even though there's lights right next to them, it's enough change in photoperiod for them to behave as usual, although they're a month or two behind the schedule they were under with natural light only.

I can usually get an additional blooming period from them by manipulating light/dark, but it's usually too much hassle to mess with it... other than my favorite one I call PewPew due to it's fighter pilot shaped blooms.

[Dollythehun]

Well said, my friend. Great lunch time conversation about canes, pbulbs and flowering structures. Lol

[Paphluvr]

Why don't we call it a peduncle and than who cares except the botanists?

The spikes/scapes/stems/peduncles (choose your favorite term) have developed to the point that each should carry at least 7-8 flowers each.

And thank you, WaterWitchin, I think I finally got the answer I was originally looking for.

[estación seca]

I suggest using the botanical term "inflorescence", or the gardener's term "spike", which mean the same thing.

[WaterWitchin]

I suggest we call it by anything we desire, as long as the average person is capable of understanding casual conversation. I can’t even spell pendicle

---------- Post added at 12:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 PM ----------

Please note I also don’t object to others calling a plant he or she… ahem.