Guessing game - spike or root?

[katrina]

Originally Posted by eurytides

It's a spike. You can see the bracket/sheath on the bottom.

Phals don't have sheaths or brackets.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by katrina

Phals don't have sheaths or brackets.

No sheaths, but Phal spikes do have bracts! (If that's what's meant by bracket)

[tarev]

Oh what fun to watch! I also have my guessing game going on here. Give it time..and post some more!

[Aerial]

Originally Posted by eurytides

Okay from this angle, I'm actually less sure. It's pointing up, but there's a bit of white at the base which makes me wonder if it's a root in "breech" position as you say. Time will tell, either way.

Oh poo, you're right, I hadn't noticed that. I can't tell any better when I look at it in person, either. Roots are good, but I SO want a spike!!!

[Aerial]

UPDATE!

Definitely a spike. I was getting to be 99.9% sure it was a spike, so I very carefully started pulling on it and it came out. Successful delivery! I should SO be a midwife.

I don't know if it would have just continued to bind up inside of itself or if it would have pushed its way out, so I don't know if I did the right thing or not, but hopefully it will still give me some nice flowers despite its weird start in life.

[snowflake311]

Awesome. Good job getting the spike out.

[camille1585]

Nice spike!
Good job getting it out without breaking it, that can be tricky to do. If was good to free it. One of my Phals does that pretty much with every single spike. Unless I free it it stays trapped in there and evenetually breaks or stops growing.

[Aerial]

Glad to hear I did the right thing. And mystery solved.

[eurytides]

The term escaped me, but yes I meant bract on the flower spike. And yup, mystery solved now. Congrats!