Spike ?

[iloveorchids88]

Hi everyone,
I noticed this “growth” between the leaves of my brassia. I’m inclined to think it’s a spike because of its location but it does look a little broad at the base which makes it look like a new growth instead. (Aren’t spikes supposed to be skinny ?) The tip of this growth does not currently have a “V” yet which would be indicative that of a new growth. What do you guys think ?

[Toadwally]

Looks like a new growth. Happy plant.

[Roberta]

Could be either, but I suspect spike. You'll just have to be patient! A note.... Oncidium spikes tend to be slooowww... they will tease you for months before blooming.

[iloveorchids88]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Could be either, but I suspect spike. You'll just have to be patient! A note.... Oncidium spikes tend to be slooowww... they will tease you for months before blooming.

so can we "generalize" and say the following ?

1. if a growth is NOT between the leaves it's definitely a new growth and never a spike

2. if a growth is between the leaves it could be either a spike OR new growht

thanks!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by iloveorchids88

so can we "generalize" and say the following ?

1. if a growth is NOT between the leaves it's definitely a new growth and never a spike

2. if a growth is between the leaves it could be either a spike OR new growht

thanks!

Generalizations about orchids are wrong more often than they are right. Different types have different habits. Sometimes one can tell the difference between a spike and growth in that growths as they develop tend to start to flatten at the top while spikes tend to retain their pointy shape. But at the early stages, these differences may not be so obvious. The only "generalization" that I'd take to the bank is "Patience, patience, patience..." Orchids teach patience. The plant will tell you soon enough what it doing.

[Optimist]

New Growth, but very immature. So it will be another pseudobulb and leaf-set, which is good. The bigger the plant, the more energy to the flowers. Brassias are rather large plants anyway.