Double flower spike on one leaf joint? - Orchid Board

SillyCookies · #1 12-19-2018, 06:05 AM

Hello everyone!

I recently bought this phal at IKEA and repotted it into a self watering pot with LECA. Now, while it still has two flower spikes with open flowers and buds slowly opening, a *third* flower spike appears to be growing right below one of the currently flowering spikes, on the same leaf joint?

I will attach some pictures so that you may see the growth.

Maybe I am wrong and it is actually a root tip? It looks somewhat pointy though. I thought that one leaf joint could only create one flower spike, is this true?

I'm also quite surprised that it decided to make another flower spike (if that is a flower spike) while it's adjusting to a new environment and medium.

aliceinwl · #2 12-20-2018, 01:23 AM

It's tough to say, it could be a root. I sometimes wonder if the temperature drop they experience when transitioning from a green house to store to home triggers another round of spike formation. A lot of Phals that I've purchased have undergone a second round of flowering after I brought them home before settling into their new annual routines.

SillyCookies · #3 12-20-2018, 03:13 AM

I was also thinking that the ride home could have been the cause - I had to wait for 30 minutes outside in cold windy weather for the bus. But is it possible for two flower spikes to come from a single leaf joint?

Paul · #4 12-20-2018, 10:56 AM

Root is doubtful ... doesn't have the right look, at least IMO.

Can two spikes emerge from the same area? Yes.
Could also be an offset, or the spike branching from that point (not a very common occurrence that low down) or even that the plant may be considering sending a flower up from that node (again not common but possible). Will be interested to see what develops.

Ray · #5 12-20-2018, 01:39 PM

...and it could be that the spike developed a node really close to the plant, and could develop into a flower. It is rare, but I have seen that in "forced" plants.

SillyCookies · #6 12-21-2018, 07:55 AM

Interesting ideas! I am away from my plants for a couple of weeks, but perhaps when I return the growth will have developed enough to see what it will be. I will keep you all updated

Also, Ray, what do you mean with 'forced' plants? Like with hormonal pastes?

*edit* Just made the connection, Ray, I really like your website! It was a great source of information for a beginner like me. I appreciate how you take the time to test things out properly and explain your reasons for using certain materials rather than others.

Ray · #7 12-21-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SillyCookies

Ray, what do you mean with 'forced' plants? Like with hormonal pastes?

No, I was referring to plants being subjected to a "chilling period" to force them to throw spikes out of their normal season, and then kept particularly warm to accelerate their growth.

SillyCookies · #8 12-21-2018, 12:57 PM

Ah in that sense! As i said previously, I did have to wait outside in cold windy weather with the plants for half an hour, after which they were placed in my home which has about 24°C. So perhaps that could make it a 'forced' plant?

Ray · #9 12-21-2018, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SillyCookies

Ah in that sense! As i said previously, I did have to wait outside in cold windy weather with the plants for half an hour, after which they were placed in my home which has about 24°C. So perhaps that could make it a 'forced' plant?

No, in order to force phalaenopsis to reliably initiate a flower spike, they have to be exposed to about ten days to two weeks of an average growing temperature about 6°-9°C lower than that under which they had been growing, then returned to normal. 30 minutes won't do that, but could possibly cause a growing spike to stall.