Phal with issues - check it out

[Bird Song Farm]

Here's the story:
Last July (2008) I received this phal as a keiki from Baldans.
Planted it up and about a month later spike #1 (the taller) showed up. Shortly thereafter spike #2 (the shorter) emerged.
About this same time the new leaf that had started, stopped growing and began to curl inward and bulge.
The two spikes grew to their present state and stopped growing. Both remained green, no die off of tip, etc.

Now, approximately 6-7 months later......
Spike #1 throws a keiki
Spike #2 throws a branch

There also appears to be a new growth in the crown. It's to early to tell but sure looks like a spike right now.

Let's have fun with this one. What to heck is going on??

Al

[camille1585]

Now that is one very confused, very undecided phal!!

Sorry, no clue what's going on, it's just too too wierd.

[justatypn]

Lots of life goin' on ... I think mama is tired and taking a rest

[Ranchnanny]

Hmmm! confused I think so. With the new Keiki growing you will have another chid. Would cutting the one spike help it grow for awhile before flowering?
Interesting.

Sheridan

[jkofferdahl]

Wow, Al. That's a Phal that missed a few of its therapy sessions! Poor, confused baby.

While I'd not want to guess what's stressed it, it's obviously very stressed. Something has happened to the, for lack of a better term this being a Phalaenopsis, "rhizome" of the plant. Or perhaps a better term would be "growth core". If the crown growth is, indeed, a spike then the plant has lost the will to continue to grow. Or, perhaps, has somehow been damaged.

Given that it IS a fatal, crown spike, then you could infer that the new growth, both the keiki and the spike branch, are ways the plant is using to somehow reproduce itself before it fails, as would be the crown spike. The plant wants to find a way to somehow create new life before it loses the life it has. Quite admirable for a suicidal Phal, in my opinion!

Of course, I could be completely off base.

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Wow, Al. That's a Phal that missed a few of its therapy sessions! Poor, confused baby.

While I'd not want to guess what's stressed it, it's obviously very stressed. Something has happened to the, for lack of a better term this being a Phalaenopsis, "rhizome" of the plant. Or perhaps a better term would be "growth core". If the crown growth is, indeed, a spike then the plant has lost the will to continue to grow. Or, perhaps, has somehow been damaged.

Given that it IS a fatal, crown spike, then you could infer that the new growth, both the keiki and the spike branch, are ways the plant is using to somehow reproduce itself before it fails, as would be the crown spike. The plant wants to find a way to somehow create new life before it loses the life it has. Quite admirable for a suicidal Phal, in my opinion!

Of course, I could be completely off base.

Yup, I think you're right. Meanwhile, I think I'll just let nature take its course and see what happens. I'll harvest the keiki as soon as it has enough roots to support it and take it sooner if need be. It is growing like a weed so shouldn't be long before it can go on its own.
Thanks everyone, leave it to me to have a child with problems!
Al

[quiltergal]

Wow! That's one really messed up Phal! I agree with JK. Sounds like the growth terminal was somehow damaged and the plant is trying to save itself. Aren't they clever!

[Becky15349]

yeah, this phal is screaming, "I'm gonna die, better make offspring!" so loud i can hear it over here.

[Sandy4453]

It's referred to as a terminal spike, the one growing out of the crown. It's explained as it's last ditch effort to continue living on. The momma plant will eventually die but from this terminal spike, it's very possible and more likely when the crown becomes terminal, to get another keiki and as well, a basal keiki off the mother plant. Plus you've got this other keiki growing off the other spike so, so far you've got 2 new plants! Lucky you! Baldans orchids are so different than others, don't know exactly what or why this is but their growth habits are very different. I'm always getting basal keikis off their plants, for one. I definitely enjoy the ones from them because they're just never boring, like yours for example!

[Bird Song Farm]

Thanks guys, I think so to but isn't it strange that "she" waited 6 months to make up her mind. LOL

A few days should tell if it, indeed, is a terminal spike and I'll watch for that new growth around the base.
Al