New misterious growths

[bnegrete]

Hi,

I have this Phal that has only one last flower and two buds left in the original spike; but it's growing a new spike that's about 8" looking very good!!

Now, a bottom leaf yellowed and fell off... And where the space on the crown opened, I found this two black horn like things, and a purple one as well... The spikes are blackish purple so I'm not sure if they will be roots o spikes... In the picture, look for a face-looking triangle!!

Does anyone know what it is? Thanks!!

[bnegrete]

I dont know why the pictures upload sideways... Sorry!! Here's a close up:

[RosieC]

I think the black stubs are roots which started then never grew properly. I've had then before and as long as you have other good roots they don't seem to be a problem.

The purple one looks like the start of a growth of some sort. It might also have aborted, or it might still be going to grow. Grow into what I'm not sure, if it was a sympodial orchid I would say a new growth, but not sure on a monopodial Phal.

[syspila]

I agree with RosieC!

[Dendy83]

Yeppers. I have a few phals with black nubbins once the leaf falls off, after a while a green root comes poking out of the black nubbins...at least for me they do. Since this is my first year with orchids I'm not sure how the black nubbins got started, but just know that a root may emerge after a few months.

As far as the purple thing, I have no clue!

[bnegrete]

Thank you all so much!! And also for givving me the words LOL!! I think one of the nubbins is growing... I am paying close attention!! In a few weeks I'll let you know what happens!

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by Dendy83

Yeppers. I have a few phals with black nubbins once the leaf falls off, after a while a green root comes poking out of the black nubbins...at least for me they do. Since this is my first year with orchids I'm not sure how the black nubbins got started, but just know that a root may emerge after a few months.

As far as the purple thing, I have no clue!

The black nubbins are from a root that started to grow, come out of/thru the stem, then aborts, and they turn black when the tissue in the tip dies. They can abort growth for many reasons, one being - if the root starts to grow, then the plant is taken out of the greenhouse, & shipped - that sudden change can cause them to stop growth... Any kind of "shock" (sudden change of environmental conditions) can cause an orchid to stop growing, but they will usually start back up after awhile, given good conditions. New roots can push thru that dead tissue, which is what you're seeing your new roots do.

[Dendy83]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

The black nubbins are from a root that started to grow, come out of/thru the stem, then aborts, and they turn black when the tissue in the tip dies. They can abort growth for many reasons, one being - if the root starts to grow, then the plant is taken out of the greenhouse, & shipped - that sudden change can cause them to stop growth... Any kind of "shock" (sudden change of environmental conditions) can cause an orchid to stop growing, but they will usually start back up after awhile, given good conditions. New roots can push thru that dead tissue, which is what you're seeing your new roots do.

Ooooh. Thank you for clearing that up! At first I was disappointed when I saw them since black=rot in my mind...but leaving them alone and caring for the orchids resulted in green roots poking out.


IMG_9377 by Blehri, on Flickr

[LadySoren]

Any updates?