Spine stopped growing as soon as new stalk started - Orchid Board

Girl_With_An_Orchid · #1 06-27-2024, 02:41 PM

Hello all! I have a den that I’ve had for less than a year and I would say she’s pretty happy. I’ve grown a nice sized cane and the roots are going crazy. I even have what I think is a spike starting and another cane just started! I’m very proud of myself because my other non-Phal babies are not being so easy. They’re still healthy and have healthy growth but I’ve had them for several years and no spikes. That’s a separate issue though.

My question is, are Den spikes not able to grow at the same time as a cane? It stopped as soon as the cane first appeared. If yes, is there a way to get it to start again? I’m kinda sad that I won’t get to see flowers again. I’ve attached pics of where it is living, the spike and the new cane.

I water when she’s mostly dry, but still a little damp and should probably repot into a less mossy situation than what she came in, especially since she’s still in the original medium. I fertilize when I water and I list the roots only with a very weak mix fairly often. All my babies respond pretty positively to that. She gets morning sun for a couple hours then good indirect for the rest of the day. The spike started after I moved her to that spot.

Should I stop fertilizing? Water less? Or do I just have to wait for the next cane to stow a new spike?

estación seca · #2 06-27-2024, 03:06 PM

The spike might not elongate and flower for a year or more. It will happen when the plant is strong enough. This kind of Den. (Den. phalaenopsis type) can flower on quite old growths. It's not very old and not very large, so focus on getting it bigger, with more growths.

Medium doesn't matter much. They prefer being evenly moist, evenly warm and evenly fertilized throughout warm weather. They don't want to go dry ever, especially not when pushing new growth. They don't like being cold.

If you're fertilizing by misting, it may not be enough. Replace a watering with fertilizer solution every week or two. Soak the whole root ball with fertilizer solution. Fertilizer makes a big difference in flowering with these.

Girl_With_An_Orchid · #3 06-27-2024, 08:47 PM

I do fertilize when I water as well. It sounds like I’m doing the right thing there which is great. The misting is just extra.

That’s very reassuring about the spike! That means I might get two at some point because the second tallest cane also has the beginning a of a spike! I guess when I repot I should include more moss than what I do with my phals.

Very helpful! Thanks!