Anyone have experience with a terminal spike? I'm nervous.

[Becheart]

I have 3 orchids that my boyfriend has gotten me over the summer all from Sam's club. My favorite of the three has three spikes and one is Terminal. I'm hoping for keikis as I'm assuming this one will no longer grow new leaves, thus ending the growth cycle. Anyone have any advice for me?
Thanks!

[MattWoelfsen]

Phalaenopsis is known for growing a terminal spike, at least it seems so on this board. My first Phalaenopsis grew a terminal spike four years ago and over time it grew two basel keiki. It takes a long time to grow to flowers. The beige looking sheath point left is all that remains of the mother plant.

[Becheart]

How long before you remove your keikis I've noticed some growth around the node on the spike that the flowers are dying on... I'm wondering if I won't get any on the spike as I morning mist my orchids being in Wisconsin.

[My Green Pets]

Hopefully your plant will put out a keiki out two. When it does, I would suggest not removing anything until the plants are several inches across. In fact, leaving them all together is nice because the plants are stronger and support each other.

[MattWoelfsen]

Agree with Cambria...I am keeping both together as the roots are all from the original plant. Since my two keiki are in the same pot, same size, I'm going to see if they could both grow and bloom together.

[Becheart]

That wouldn't be the case for ones on the stem though would it?

[RosieC]

WhiteRabbit posted a picture of one flowering 2 years after a terminal spike. It's grown a new crown.

Terminal spiked Phal two years later (in bloom)

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Becheart

That wouldn't be the case for ones on the stem though would it?

A keiki on the end of a flower stalk would be easier to separate from the mother plant and let it grow by itself.

[estación seca]

To be clear, your plant might make another growth from the base, or it might make a new plant from a node on the flower spike (keiki.) It might do neither and eventually die. It will probably grow somewhere rather than dying.

It can take a long time to find out what is going to happen. In the mean time, don't cut off the flower spike. Keep treating the plant well. Some people put a product called keiki paste on the nodes of the flower spike trying to promote keiki production. I've only read about this.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by RosieC

WhiteRabbit posted a picture of one flowering 2 years after a terminal spike. It's grown a new crown.

Terminal spiked Phal two years later (in bloom)

It did - and it's blooming now