spike black on tip of phal venosa

[ladyslipper]

Hi guys, the spike that my phal venosa started months ago had stopped growing awhile back but I thought it stopped maturing because I moved the plant. Its now clear that the spike is likely dead (it has a bit of black on the flower end).

I don't know why it has happened. The plant is growing roots and leaves and when I checked the repot tag, it was repotted in March /07.

I am pretty sure I should cut the spike back, but how far and what else do I need to do.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

many thanks, mary

[CodiMN]

Hi Mary! Do you have a picture of the spike? You may only want to cut what it dried and shriveled.

[matthias]

I did a search and came up with this because my phal is having the same problem. I don't think the plant was receiving enough water due to new media and the bark not absorbing enough water, so I'm fixing that problem, meanwhile the spike on my phal has been growing (is now somewhere around 12-14 inches) and at the top it has become a dark, dark, nearly black color and the flesh of the plant is softer than it ought to be.

The bottom portion of the spike is in good shape. I wonder if I need to cut it, but I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Any thoughts/advice?

[Ray]

Do not cut back the venosa spike. It will likely branch and rebloom on it again and again over the years.