Is this an phalaenopsis keiki?

[sweta]

Hi Orchid pals,

One of my phals recently suffered from stem rot but with timely intervention I was able to save it. I removed couple.of leaves at the top that were affected by the rot and dabbed cinnamon. Recently I noticed a small green nub coming out from the second to last leaf join. Its definitely not a root. Could it be a basal keiki?

[Roberta]

Actually, it looks like it might be a spike. Having lost the crown (the growth point) the plant has more than one strategy to carry on... it could do a basal growth (using the same root system) or it could flower, hoping to produce progeny. If it does do a basal growth, technically not a keiki (which grows on a flower spike, and produces its own roots, a separate plant) Basal growths are part of the plant - don't try to separate if it occurs. But in this case, it looks like it's trying for reproduction. You may yet get a basal growth as well.

[sweta]

@Roberta what you said makes sense but I was wondering if a flower spike can.emerge from a point below a point where there was a flower spike. If you look at the picture carefully there was a flower spike(which is now dried up) on the leaf join above the point where you see the new growth. But I think you are right it looks more like a flower spike. I think basal growth looks more like a hook and this doesn't look like that. Either ways it will be super exciting if its a flower spike or a basal growth. Thanks for the input. Waiting eagerly to see what it will turn out to be🤞

[Mountaineer370]

I agree it looks like a spike. As Roberta says, your plant is coming up with alternate strategies to carry on. It will be interesting. I hope you'll keep us updated with photos as it progresses.

[sweta]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

I agree it looks like a spike. As Roberta says, your plant is coming up with alternate strategies to carry on. It will be interesting. I hope you'll keep us updated with photos as it progresses.

Sure I will soon give you all an update

[sweta]

@Mountaineer370 @Roberta just wanted to give you an update. Its indeed a basal growth I can see a leaf emerging woo-hoo 💃💃

[LizB88]

awesome!