spike or root on phal equestris var alba - Orchid Board

playtime8978 · #1 03-17-2009, 01:06 PM

can somebody with more of an idea tell me what I have on my new phal equestrtis var alba, I thought at first it was shooting out an aerial root but then the shape of the end of the growth looked a little like a flower spike forming, It is the first time I have seen a growth on a Phal my other ones were all in bud or flower when I purchased them either way I am happy as it means its growing if it a root or if its a spike I have the chance of blooms thank you for your help in advance.

PS I appologise for my photographs my camera skills are somewhat lacking

quiltergal · #2 03-17-2009, 04:58 PM

Looks like a root to me Carrie. No worries though Ross says "Roots are good!".

camille1585 · #3 03-17-2009, 05:03 PM

I agree, it does look like it's probably a root. With the days getting longer the plants are waking up, I have tons of new root growth on many orchids.

cb977 · #4 03-17-2009, 05:09 PM

I agree, it's probably a root, which is a good thing because it means the plant is growing and healthy

The spikes will come soon enough

playtime8978 · #5 03-17-2009, 05:22 PM

Thank you everyone

thats good news that its growing , so if it goes down hill I know its me that has done something wrong

I don't mind waiting for flowers as long as the plant is happy, I did look again and think hmmm that is a bit of a strange place for a spike to come from

I will try my best to keep this guy happy though It looks to me as though the bark is breaking down so considering repotting but scared to as it seems happy how it is. There are little 'bits' on the sides of the pot as though its little bits of bark.

caseydoll · #6 03-17-2009, 05:33 PM

Congratulations on the new growth Carrie!

If you think that the bark looks like it's broken down I think you should just go ahead and repot. Now is actually the perfect time to do it. It has a new root growing and warmer weather is starting. You can't get much better timing than that!

It really isn't as scary as you may think. Phals especially seem to appreciate a new mix. I've never had one that didn't explode with new roots after I did it. Just make sure you soak the new medium overnite (or longer depending on what you choice to use) before using.

If you do decide to repot it and have any questions just let us know. We all would be happy to talk you through it.

playtime8978 · #7 03-18-2009, 10:28 AM

I repotted the phal equestris var alba this morning after soaking the bark over night as last night I found a slug on the pot and thought ok I really have to be brave, I gently got it out of its pot and soaked the roots as there was some bark stuck to them I washed the pot and put it back in and filled with bark there were a couple of dead roots that needed removing but generally it seems happy, I have not fed it yet I guess I should have but I will do that when it needs watering again I keep having trouble with a small amount of water sitting in the bottom of the pots and i cant get it out, I drain it, wiggle it tip it and hope but still some water collects at the bottom. Any tips as to how to stop this as I really do not wanna rot the poor things roots, I have seen pictures of this plant and have wanted one since I saw it so really want to give him the best conditions I can. Your all great thank you for your help.

jkofferdahl · #8 03-18-2009, 12:03 PM

It looks like a root to me, too. But roots are wonderful! They indicate the plant is happy and healthy. Good roots lead to good vegetative growth. Good vegetative growth leads to strong plants. Strong plants like to produce flowers!

quiltergal · #9 03-18-2009, 04:43 PM

Carrie, I like to use clear plastic pots that have an inverted cone on the bottom of the pot. The cone has slits all around it allowing lots of air into the middle of the pot and all around the root zone. They dry out a bit faster than standard pots. My plants do very well in them.