Phals blooming off of distorted spikes

[mjHuntingtonBeach]

I have two phaleonopsis blooming currently that are on spikes that were strangely distorted. They grew in a circle in the medium around the plant and only the very tip of each spike popped out of the mix and developed flowers. Very pretty flowers but it looks strange how they are right next to the growing tip. Here are pictures, a red Phaleonopsis Brother Lancer 'T.K.', which strangely has a very interesting fragrance and a pink Phal. Elizabeth Hayden with an odd shaped lip that intrigued me.

[billc]

The blooms are very nice!

Bill

[tuvoc]

Odd, but lovely.

Kim

[tucker85]

They're very pretty! One thing that can cause deformed growth is over use of a growth stimulant. If you use Superthrive, Liquid Seaweed, KLN, or any of the other supplements make sure you don't use it any stronger than the directions indicate. Also only use one supplement of this kind because they all carry similar compounds and using more than one can overdose the plant. I was using two growth supplements at once and some of my cattleyas produced bizarre pseudobulbs.

[Brooke]

Usually when this happens it is because the spike was trapped in the media or under a leaf and had to force its way out.

Brooke

[mjHuntingtonBeach]

Hmm, I have been adding seaweed concentrate to the fertilization regime but maybe one teaspoon to a gallon. Perhaps that is it, and it is very strange that two of my five phals are doing the same thing, only two of the five are sending out normal spikes. always something to learn/observe