Ingrown spike on my Phalaenopsis?
 

Well, it looks like my Phal's getting another spike, but wasn't so good at choosing where to sprout it from. In fact, it's sprouted directly under the biggest leaf, and is curling in on itself. What (if anything) should I do? O_o

Be careful. You can let it take it's own course.... or try and help it..... or make a small incision to help free it up. This has happened with some of my oncid types and some I was able to help, and some I broke. So be careful. Use your fingers to try and pull it out but wait until it gets longer and tougher. Like pulling a big splinter out. But be careful.

Alright, leaning toward guiding its course with something flat and sturdy, like a popsicle stick. That way it should squeeze between the leaf and the stick. Sound good?

Edit: Actually had just the thing right on my desk. Looking good?

My mom gave me a mini a few weeks ago and I couldn't figure out what the random loop was coming out of the base. I realized that it came back out the other side and is a spike in bloom. It's not terminal for the plant but I don't think intervening will hurt either :)

Haha, wow! Got a picture of that? ^^

I just added pics to my previous post! :)

hmm, doesn't like my pictures! :( I'll keep trying!

https://plus.google.com/photos/11624...38402295560383

https://plus.google.com/photos/11624...38402295560383

It still doesn't like your pictures :(

No worries! I could at least click the links you posted. Looks awesome, thanks for showing me ^^

Really? I wonder why it's not working for me? ...Oh well, it's your thread, so at least you got to see them! :biggrin:

Can't wait to see the flowers when the spike finally gets its act together, and grows straight :coverlaugh:

I've had some do that as well. If I've tried to pull it out they have ALWAYS broken. However last time I sacrificed the leaf that was trapping it, I cut a slit in the leaf and gently freed the spike BUT I didn't try and straighten the spike (that's when they always break). Once free I left it to straighten (somewhat) on it's own as it grew.

The one time I tried to free a trapped spike tip, I broke the spike :p. The plant did push out 3 new spikes from the same spot shortly afterwards - perhaps because that particular Phal got lots of branches on it's spikes :dunno: I don't think my experience was usual ...