Self distructive Phal.

[JamesL]

I'd like to show you my self destructive Phal. ( Taido Pinlon X Join Diamond ) . Anyone else have one of these? It will grow 2 new leaves, then the 3 rd. one comes out all wonkie, then starts to grow a new crown. Last week it was going out to the dumpster, then I spotted a new plantlet coming from the base, just under the bark. SO it gets a reprieve until next spring when the new plant is more mature. 2 pic. show it's condition now, 3rd pic. is it's sister. Lots of love and happy growing JamesL... PS everyone else is happy and healthy.

[NYCorchidman]

hahaha funny I have one that is in stage 2 in your picture.

I am thinking of chopping down at the leafless node but then the top portion only has three very short roots so I am just waiting.

[JamesL]

Yes I hear you on that. Know that I see what it looks like in the pic. it looks like it's trying to run away from home...

[NYCorchidman]

Totally, runaway orchid! lol

My phal that is doing this is actually in poor mix or care, or should I say both.

After it finished flowering for the second time earlier this winter, I wasn't sure about keeping it. then I felt bad about tossing because it was apparently healthy.
so I kept it but did not really take good care of it. I probably dried it too much and when I did water it, the tightly packed moss it sits in got probably way too wet for too long. yet, this tough little thing survived it all.
No wonder it wants to run away. hahahaha

[beqq valQIS]

In the first picture, it looks like you have a "pup" growing out of the roots. The roots look healthy. I'd keep it around to see what happens. I'm finding out that these orchids can surprise you! Keep it in good soil & light. Keeping them "groomed" is essential. Cut off any dried or dead rotting roots. I water mine with "fertilized" water until the 4th Wednesday (you can choose whatever day) & give it regular reverse osmosis water.

Another trick I learned was how to "train" your orchids to grow in the direction you want to. I use those wooden skewers that you get for bbqs. If the orchid is leaning over, I stick one straight down in the direction I want the orchid to grow. I gently tie a thin ribbon or garden twine around the orchid & between leaves. Keep an eye on it. When it starts growing in the direction you want, untie the orchid & remove the skewer. This method is also great when all of the roots are dead on an orchid. I had one that I had to cut all of the dead roots off of. I placed it back in some good orchid soil & propped it up with the skewers. I have to water it a bit more often but its growing roots now.

[AnonYMouse]

Keep it!

I wouldn't call it self destructive. It grew a keiki (=pup, baby) from the crown (which is a lot better than a terminal spike!) and a basal keiki. With good culture and patience, the keikis will grow and eventually flower.

As far as the plant leaning over, that is its natural habit when in trees. The lean keeps water from collecting in the crown preventing crown rot.