Terminal spiked Phal two years later (in bloom)

[PaphLover]

I have yet to see a terminal spike. Wow! Orchids are so fascinating!

[PaphMadMan]

A spike is terminal when it occurs at the terminus (top end) of the stem instead of from a node on the side, not because it necessarily means the death of the plant. Most Phals with a terminal spike will survive. If anything, most die because they are thrown away long before they have been given a chance for new growth to emerge.

[gngrhill]

Nice to know that they can still live, grow and bloom.

[charitysmama]

Oh, so if a flower spike comes out of the center of the plant, that isn't a "terminal spike"?

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by charitysmama

Oh, so if a flower spike comes out of the center of the plant, that isn't a "terminal spike"?

Let me try again...

A spike that comes out of the center of the plant, which is from the terminus of the stem, is a terminal spike. That is the meaning of terminal in this case - from the terminus - a standard term in plant anatomy. It has been widely and largely incorrectly interpreted as meaning the plant will die - a terminal, end of life, condition. Most Phals will live if given normal good care, though often with a 1-3 year gap in flowering.

[charitysmama]

Thank you for clarifying that. I won't keep looking at it to see if it is ready to take it's last gasp. I have one phal that my dau. in law gave me that bloomed and lasted for 9 months, gotta love these little plants.

[Sonicles]

I recently bought a beautiful Phal, with two spikes full of blooms. I just today learned about terminal spikes & felt pretty miserable at the coming fate of my beautiful beast. However, having read your post and others in this thread I feel there is some hope that it might flower or at least produce a keiki in order to survive. I guess at least I will never buy one again with a terminal spike. Many thanks.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Sonicles

I recently bought a beautiful Phal, with two spikes full of blooms. I just today learned about terminal spikes & felt pretty miserable at the coming fate of my beautiful beast. However, having read your post and others in this thread I feel there is some hope that it might flower or at least produce a keiki in order to survive. I guess at least I will never buy one again with a terminal spike. Many thanks.

It's pretty common for a plant that produces a terminal spike to produce keikis. They may come on the stem, but usually with a terminal spike you look for basal growth. Basal keikis aren't JUST the product of a plant with a terminal spike, though; I have several Phals, both large and miniature, on which the mother plant is active and growing but have produced basal keikis. Phals are Vandaceous, and like other members of their tribe they like to grow and produce.