Sad day for my NOID spike...

[karategirl73]

They can be so naughty!! I had four cockatiels there's only one left now. One of mine used to crawl underneath the refrigerator and hide, I heard him chirping under there and I almost had a heart attack. Luckily I was able to pull off the front grate and get him out when he did it. What would possess him to go under there I have no idea! I could see spikes being appealing for them to chew just by the shape and length.


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[Tabbyblack13]

Originally Posted by mooburr

Oh my I bet that was a sight! Were you able to save it? I'm glad they didn't run off with or bite into my tiny Angraecum didieri which was right next to it.

You're right about the sight. I found the poor thing on the floor with kitten sized teeth marks in it after work. I couldn't even scold the little brat because I never caught him in the act.

I did save the poor Catt. It's sitting in its pot on a shelf out of the cat danger zone with the rest of my orchids. Last time I looked it had 4 fat roots and one of then had to be at least 2 inches long.


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[NYCorchidman]

Cute birds!

By the way, I'm quite hopeful that the spike will grow again. At least the bird, whichever one did, didn't dine on it all the way, I see at least one node there.

when the growing spike gets damaged on its growing end, it seems like the plant wants to keep the momentum going and find another way to go.
so don't despair just yet and give some time. It can be as soon as before Christmas that you might see something sprouting out of that last node.

Monitor your curious little friends so you don't see this happen again though. Then you will really have some protein rich dinner. lol

[l1sav]

Originally Posted by mooburr

I've just discovered that one of my cockatiels snuck over to my orchid shelf by the window and chewed off one of my NOID phal spikes.... I'm so heartbroken! It was about 6" along and I was looking forward to seeing it bloom, of course. I have never seen any of them over there before, but they are flighted and I try to give them plenty of time each day out and about with me. No more un-closely-supervised playtime!
But I have to console myself a little and say that at least they didn't get their little beaks on any other plants over there. I only see a couple of little nips out of a leaf on the same phal. It could have been much worse. When they get in a chewing mood it's seek and destroy, but usually on more appropriate chew toys!
I needed to vent a little to my orchid enthusiast friends here so that I do not decide on some roasted cockatiel for dinner tonight. I'm glaring at all four of them now, trying to decide who looks the guiltiest. Better luck next year for my little phal.
Here are a few pics of the damage and the culprits. From L to R they are Willie, Pearl, Tony, and Stan.

Naughty birdies......pearl is looking alittle suspicious it that photo mug shot!!
The phal will grow a new spike when its ready.
I managed to break a spike off my ascocenda last month.....almost broke my heart. But its growing another one as fast as lightning and its now sending out another spike to boot ( 2 for the price of 1!) ......much to my delight

[My Green Pets]

Just another piece of advice, you might want to take a flame or alcohol-sterilized pair of sharp scissors, clippers, a knife...and cut the decapitated spike at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the damage (heck, maybe all the way down to just above the node) so that it has a clean cut and minimize the chance of some kind of infection.

As other members have said, I'm not so sure this baby won't throw out another spike...keep your fingers crossed (and those naughty birds away)

[My Green Pets]

Not to get your hopes up or anything...but...

[mooburr]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

Just another piece of advice, you might want to take a flame or alcohol-sterilized pair of sharp scissors, clippers, a knife...and cut the decapitated spike at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the damage (heck, maybe all the way down to just above the node) so that it has a clean cut and minimize the chance of some kind of infection.

As other members have said, I'm not so sure this baby won't throw out another spike...keep your fingers crossed (and those naughty birds away)

Wonderful tip! I would not have thought to do that since I didn't do the cutting myself in this instance. I have been watching the spike like a hawk since the incident and am crossing my fingers for a spike from a node below. I am glad to know it is a realistic possibility for it to continue from there.

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

At least phals aren't toxic. I looked that up when I had my Amazon, and I still keep a close watch on my Pacific parrotlet. My husband is very happy that I keep collecting orchids because I used to collect pets. My tiny parrot does minimal damage. He is 13 years old and I wouldn't trade him for anything.

What kind of parrot do you have now? Yes, I am very glad phals aren't toxic. This was a concern of mine when I received my very first orchid (a mini phal) as a gift. Once I learned they were not harmful to my little chirpers I had to buy one orchid for every room.... or seven

[mooburr]

Just a little update on my decapitated phal spike. I'm very excited that it will still bloom after all!! Thanks for the encouragement.

[Tabbyblack13]

That's great. Your orchid must be really happy to be doing that.