Broken growing leaf

[Grim Tuesday]

About 3 months ago, in the middle of moving, the currently growing leaf broke off one of my phals, right at the base. Since then, the plant has clearly stayed alive, but has not grown any new leaves or put out a flower spike. Is losing the apical leaf like having a terminal spike for a phal? Or can it come back and grow another one?

[Roberta]

I would expect another leaf to come along when the plant is ready - the crown (growth point) is likely well below where the leaf broke off, So patience... 3 months is nothing in the life of an orchid.

[dimshane]

Hi. This happened to my NOID phal about 2 months ago. It fell during bad weather and the growing tip broke off. It was a well established root system so I just left it and gave it a little water here and there. Now I am happy to report that while the crown never grew back since... I now have a healthy new growth starting from the side of the main stem. (Basal Keiki?) There is still hope.

[Dalachin]

Basically… wait and see! I unfortunately have had this happen both due to rot and mechanical damage, multiple times! In most cases, if the plant is otherwise healthy it will start growing again when it is ready, either with a new leaf or with a basal growth or two… or sometimes both. Keep caring for it, maybe add a monthly kelpak treatment to encourage new growth.

[Grim Tuesday]

I can give an update on this a year later if anyone is curious. The plant itself has not grown any new leaves from that crown. Instead, it has grown an offshoot from the base which now has two leaves of its own. Orchids are pretty cool!

[Dalachin]

Ha, didn't catch that this was an old thread! But thanks for the update, that's great!