oh no, oh no!! Flower stem broke off :-( - Orchid Board

Me11y82 · #1 11-10-2008, 08:44 AM

I got really excited when I noticed a new flower stem on one of my Phalaenopsis. Today I tried to remove the old stem that I had left on. I accidently broke off the new stem. It was only a few days old. I am really mad at my self right now :-|
Does anyone know if there's a chance that it could still grow or maybe another starts growing?

Jkelee · #2 11-10-2008, 09:25 AM

I broke a new spike off too, but mine was surely alot older than yours, as it was about 5-6" long. I cut it down just above the last node. And now, about 2 months after breaking/cutting, I have another spike coming out now.

If yours was really short, being only a few days old, I don't know that answer, sorry.

Good luck with your baby!

magicatt · #3 11-10-2008, 10:01 AM

Although I can't tell you if your orchid will re-spike, I can tell you that a broken spike is a good reason to go buy another orchid.

camille1585 · #4 11-10-2008, 10:05 AM

I don 't know if the spike will regrow, but if the plant really wants to bloom now, then you should see another spike soon! I had a similar accident 2 years ago. I don 't know what I did, but I ended up standing there holding the plant in one hand and a piece of broken spike in the other.

Now I touch spiking orchids only when absolutely necessary! Spikes break too easily and are a disaster waiting to happen.

Lagoon · #5 11-10-2008, 11:18 AM

Oh boy! Been there done that!
Don't beat yourself up about it. Some will respike, some won't. I hope you have the one that does.

cb977 · #6 11-10-2008, 01:45 PM

Oh boy...I think many of us have done that...and it is SO frustrating!

Just put it out of your mind...the plant will eventually spike again and next time you're sure to be more careful. I know I am...now that I've snapped more than my fair share of spikes

RosieC · #7 11-11-2008, 05:25 PM

I've had one break when very very small, and it was only about a week later that another appeared coming out from just below the broken one (through the same hole in the very base of the outer leaf).

I think if the conditions which initiated spiking are still present it will probably spike again quite quickly. If not then just be patient and it will flower spike again.

vlaar45 · #8 02-20-2009, 05:55 PM

Oh no! Just happened to me too. My spike was about 15" long. It was my favorite phal with 5" white flowers. I'm sure hoping for the best here!

vlaar45 · #9 02-20-2009, 05:56 PM

Oops. Part II.

No flowers were open. I'm just hoping a new spike will grow off of this one.

Me11y82 · #10 02-20-2009, 11:41 PM

just a quick update....

no new stem yet....but lots of new roots....I guess I'll have to wait another year....

fortunately 3 of my other orchids will be flowering soon...
2 of them for the first time (oncidium "scent of a woman" and miltona "yosemite sam") Yeah yeah!!!