Are these what I think (hope) they are?

[Sandy4453]

Here's another one of my faithful bloomers. I don't know how I overlooked this but I just noticed this morning these leaves growing on the spike, maybe they're keikis? I've never been lucky to have one grow from a spike yet (only basal). Maybe my luck is changing.

Can someone tell me if I should start getting excited or, not?

Thanks!

[camille1585]

I have never ever seen nor heard of something like that, but I am almost certain that they are not keikis! Sorry. It looks like the bracts (which are essentially modified leaves) that cover the nodes transformed themselves into leaves. But like I said, this is new to me, so I wonder what will happen next!

[WhiteRabbit]

wow
I have gotten a keiki on a spike - but didn't look like that - so I am not sure ...
hope someone else can say for certain
keeping my fingers crossed for you

[Sandy4453]

Thanks Rabbit! I think Camille is right though. Now that I think about it, the leaf has to grow away from the spike itself...it's now, wrapped around the spike so it wouldn't make sense that it's a keiki, UNLESS....it will eventually begin to grow away from the spike, perhaps? I'm not giving up hope yet!

[jkofferdahl]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm about 98% sure they aren't keikis. I think Camille is correct.

[quiltergal]

Can you tell us where on the plant the spike is originating from? (Between the leaves, or out of the crown?)

[Roly0217]

If the spike came out of the crown then what you've got there is a terminal spike. Usually there are leaves present on these ones. If not just like Camille says could be a modification.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The kheikis I've had growing from the spike don't look like what your pic shows. I think Camille got it right with them being modified bracts.

Nice Phal. 'Harlequin Prince' BTW.

[mspatt]

I have the exact same thing happening on a little phal called 'Fireberry" that was given to me by a friend. We were both stumped and she mentioned genetic mutations caused by an excess of SuperThrive--Do you use that on your phal? Sad to say, my two leaves grew until the spike was about two inches long and now they are starting to form buds (not really a bad thing). Still, I have no good explanation, but they kind of look like the spikes that form on some of my species or the one primary hybrid I have--perhaps parentage has something to do with it...

[Sandy4453]

Thanks for your comments!

Terri, Roly, the spike grew from between the leaves, not from the crown, hence, terminal spike..no way would I have missed that!...which reminds me, I have to get some KeikiPro.

The more I think about this, I can remember seeing leaves like this before (not on this one) and recall it being explained as extra growth, nothing more, from the bracts.

Originally Posted by mspatt

Sad to say, my two leaves grew until the spike was about two inches long and now they are starting to form buds (not really a bad thing).

That's interesting, mspatt. What, from the leaves (like in my pic), grew subspikes?