Many spikes on phal, please help
 

Hi,

I am new to orchids. I have owned this phal for two years. I wish that it came with a handbook. I have made many errors. I repotted it last year and started watering it weekly weakly with 19-31-19 orchid fertilizer. I read that this fertilizer many encourage new growth, but not necessarily blooms. So this last week I changed to 20-20-20.

The plant currently sits in a western bay window where it get indirect light all day. I live in Michigan in the woods and my house is quite shaded. My southern windows are dark since I have a front porch. I have one eastern window, but it receives partial shade as well. I have few windows to work with.

My questions are:

-what is going on with all these spikes?
-what do I need to be doing to help the plant?
-is it getting enough light?
-can I move it to the outdoor deck with partial shading?

Thank you!

Kerry

Everything looks fine. The new green shoots are new roots - a good thing. When the spikes finish dropping the blossoms, I prefer to cut the spike off near the base of the plant (doesn't matter where, as long as you don't damage the leaf base.) I'm in Cadillac, and I have a really big one in a south-facing window. It gets full sun on the leaves (when the sun shines :)) but there is also a window screen. Phals can take some really bright light which will encourage large leaf growth and new flower spikes. I fertilize with a really weak fertilizer mix every time I water.

Where in Western Michigan are you? And welcome to the board.

Yup, new roots. That's always good! You could move it outside as long as it doesn't get direct mid-day sun. Morning sun is the best. Good luck and Welcome to the Orchid Board.

Yep those are all roots. You can take the stakes out. :) Brighter liight will really help, but not direct sunlight. Cooler temps in the fall are what usually triggers my Phals. to spike. If you keep your house very warm during fall and winter that may be part of your issue. They need about a 10 degree difference between day and night temps to set spikes. You won't see anything but leaf and root growth during the summer unless it's a novelty hybrid that blooms in the summer. As we head into fall keep the temp difference in mind.

ditto quiltergall....those arent spikes but nice healthy roots! give em more light and it should actually bloom for you....gl

Kerry, I'm new too. . .but I agree with everyone else, beautiful healthy looking roots. The only thing I would add is that you don't push them back under the surface of the medium, but let them grow out over the medium. . . phals need to have quite a few roots on the top.

Roots have a blunt rounded point. You can cut those above ground roots off without hurting the plant. They can get water from the air, and can help stabilize the plant. When a spike does form, it will look like a little green mitten on the end. When you see a flower spike, you'll have flowers in no time. Maybe 3-4 months.

Dear Group,

So all those are roots--even the tall ones that I have tied up? If so, and I untie them should I cut them back to fit in the pot?

One of you said that blooming spikes have "mitten" like end. Is there a website with a picture so I know what to look for?

I live in Rockford, MI. I am really excited about this group. I am glad to have found you and to have joined.

Thanks so much!!

Kerry

You can see what an orchid spike looks like (the tip) HERE.

:)

Hi Kerry, personally I would let the roots stay, Phals like having arial roots which can absorb moisture from the air.

I can't find a pic of a new spike just now but I thought I has one so I'll keep looking.

Ah yes, Beth's pic is good, better than mine was anyway.

On a spike you will quite quickly see that 'mitten' like shape as in the pic.

Also, spikes will be a uniform green whereas roots will have a silvery covering with a green tip when dry and be bright green when wet.

Welcome, from another Michigander.:welcome:

Marilyn

The above ground roots can get out of hand. You can do what you want with them, but you can't make them turn into underground roots. I just let them grow until I "accidently" knock them off.

Orchids are social plants, they prefer company. You should talk to the plant, find out about its friends. You might want to invite some to visit, maybe even move in with you.
Of course then its friends will take over the place, and you won't have any money or space left..:rofl:

I would say don't cut the roots that grow in the air. Your plant probably knows what is the best way to grow (the roots). I had several roots that grew in the pot and then decided to grow out of the pot. At first I tried to work them in the pot again but the orchid refused to obey :bad: and decided to sent it out of the pot again. That same period it also decided to grow a root that never went into the pot and went straight up from the beginning. It's about to push out a new root, wonder where that one thinks it needs to be. I never understand why some roots have to be above the medium and some in... when the plant I talk about decided it needed to have roots out of the pot, it grew a new root towards the medium in the same time. :yawn:

Nicole

:rofl:
omg - is that ever true! ;)

I second the advice from Rosie--IMHO I think aerial roots are gorgeous and would not cut them. I love to water these roots and watch them turn green :banana:

Yes they are all roots. I would unclip them from the stake. They really don't need to be staked up. I wouldn't cut them off either. I have found that when aerial roots don't find water the tips dry up and that's then end of their wandering. When I repot I put them back in the pot, and they usually stay there. You'll always have some aerial roots it's just the natural way orchids anchor themselves.

Thanks you all,

You have been great. So helpful. This site is great.

Kerry

I must admit I laughed out loud when i saw your roots staked like a spike.... sorry, but true. But that's a really cute rookie mistake. Some of those roots are worthy of a prize! Great growing. Now just keep taking good care of it and hopefully you'll see a real spike soon.

This is all to cute!! I love these kinds of posts :biggrin:
Welcome aboard Kerry :waving :D
Here is a pic of some spikes, it might help you to know when you're phal will come into spike mode ...

Some quick observations. The pot looks to be about twice the size needed. A smaller pot will put more emphasis on the orchid. When you want to repot, or just for the fun of it, pull it out to check the roots, you might want to try a larger bark.

I'm sure that most people on this board have tried orchids outside. There are probably just as many stories of their orchids flourishing as there are of ones that bit the dust. Just remember, this is Michigan. It's going down to 52 tonight and may snow on the fourth of July. You need to watch the weather reports. On the other hand, being rained on, and a nice humid summer may be just what it needs. Consider also the additional critters that may get access.

Hope this helps

I agree—absolute CRACKUP!! :rofl:

Live and learn, live and learn...! Orchidboard.com is so good for that...!

ok, I confess too.:coverlaugh:

Phal roots are a wonderful thing. They love being misted.

Here's one of mine with roots, roots and more roots...

Wow, what great arial roots Sandy :clap:

Kerry...If you feeling bad about mistaking roots versus a spike, I did exactly the same thing with my first phal...we newbies need to stick together. :-)