Help, spikes are getting hopeless stuck in the leaves - Orchid Board

camille1585 · #1 10-13-2011, 04:25 AM

I guess the title says it all.
I have a Miltonidium Rosy Sunset and it has bloomed fine in past years.
In September it bloomed off a lone spike that had gotten stuck in the leaf along the bulb. I thought it was just a freak thing, and managed to tease it out while it was still very small. It had done that on one spike last year too.

And now, the plant is going crazy with spikes, which I only just noticed. And ALL of them are getting stuck in the leaf! Basically, instead of growing up in the air between the bulb and leaf, or growing straight through the fold at the base of the leaf, the spike tip gets jammed in it, the part of the spike below the tip keeps growing until the spike starts to fold and eventually break in half.

I lost 4 strong spikes like that, I only noticed them this morning and they were already too irreparably damaged to be able to free them.

The question is; WHY??? Anything to do to prevent this from happening again?

Kelo · #2 10-13-2011, 05:24 AM

I've seen this in the past, too, but I've no idea why this is caused. Sorry.

Wrebbitrocks · #3 10-13-2011, 05:47 AM

ive never seen it before but could it possible be from the leaf scales of previous fallen leaves that are too tight? i have an oncidium that has trouble pushing roots out because i forget to peel the old leaf bases off the bottom before they dry up and leave a hard sheath

Kelo · #4 10-13-2011, 05:53 AM

I've only seen it in green leaves and I've had to open the leaf base with an instrument of some sort such as a dull knife blade.

camille1585 · #5 10-13-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelo

I've only seen it in green leaves and I've had to open the leaf base with an instrument of some sort such as a dull knife blade.

Exactly my problem, it's the base of the green leaf against the bulb where they get stuck!

I can understand it happening once it a while, but every single spike is a bit much...

Kelo · #6 10-13-2011, 07:09 AM

It's as if the spike is growing too fast or the leaf isn't.

silken · #7 10-13-2011, 11:53 AM

Sorry, I don't have an answer but I have the same issue with a number of my Miltoniopsis. If I suspect a chance of spikes I pry the leaf apart and check very regularly. Then gently tease it up thru as it grows.

I've lost one spike the first time it happened. I've had several that were quite bent when I freed them, but they straightened out completely as they grew.

If your Miltonia looks anything like Miltonia Sunset (and I think it does) it will be a show stopper so worth the frustration if you can get the spikes out.

camille1585 · #8 10-13-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silken

If your Miltonia looks anything like Miltonia Sunset (and I think it does) it will be a show stopper so worth the frustration if you can get the spikes out.

Nope, it looks nothing like it. It's Miltonidium and not a Miltonia. The blooms look much more like a pink form of Oncidium Twinkle.

silken · #9 10-13-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Nope, it looks nothing like it. It's Miltonidium and not a Miltonia. The blooms look much more like a pink form of Oncidium Twinkle.

Oh well, I'm sure it is every bit as lovely

can't wait for pics when it blooms!

vjo · #10 10-13-2011, 02:59 PM

I had the same thing happen with a Brassia last month it was the first time it had bloomed for me but the spike broke off on mine too. Dont know why but it sure was maddening...Jean