Phal. Flower Spike Stopped Growing and Instead It's Growing Leaves and Roots

[LilyFlower6]

Hello fellow growers,

I purchased this Phal. Joy Fairy Tale about three months ago. It came with a spike. I repotted it into 100% sphagnum moss (a bit of bark at the bottom only). It gets about 10 hours of indirect bright light. It seems to love the setup; however, the spike stopped growing. Instead, it's pushing out roots like crazy and growing leaves. Any ideas why?

Thanks

[Dimples]

Unfortunately, the answer can be summarized as: Because that’s what the plant deemed best to do at this point.

Conditions changed for it and now it is adjusting to its new home.

It could be a pause, and it’ll continue growing once things change, or it’s possible that it won’t do anything else until the plant aborts it. Regardless, if the plant is growing anything = a good sign. Watch and see what happens.

[Louis_W]

Couldnt say it better than dimples!

[estación seca]

What orchids teach us is that we're not in charge here.

[WarrenG]

I had a phal “Alberla” do this after receiving the plant last summer with two flower spikes; both promptly stopped growing and instead sent out leaves and roots! I left them attached and put them into small clay pots with sphagnum and let them be. They are still attached to the mother plants and all are flowering for the first time! The plant decides what it shall do, clearly flowering in its’ new home wasn’t on the cards last year!

[Roberta]

If the plant does basal growths, always leave them attached - they share their roots system with the mother plant, if you try to separate them you're likely to kill both. Some Phals do tend to create clumps - which, of course, can lead to an even better display when you get spikes on multiple growths. Don't think of them as "keikis" which can develop along old flower spikes, produce roots and can grow as separate plants.