OMGoodness...I Have A SPIKE!
 

When I joined the Orchid Board in February this year, I noted that one of my life goals was to care for an orchid to the point that it threw a spike. With the help of the experts and friends on the Orchid Board, this goal has been achieved.

The Minho Princess "Flying" that I inherited from my mother two years ago blessed me with a spike this morning (based on its size, I suspect it started some time ago, I only just noticed it today.)

To say the least, I am excited. I called my Mom as soon as I showed it to my beloved.

Here are some pics:

I hate to be the one to tell you, but you have been blessed with a great looking root. New roots and/or new leaves are wonderful and lead, eventually, to a bloom spike. I have some Phals that haven't bloomed in 2 years. Just recently I got spikes on a Neo I was ready to give up on. Hang in there!

Aw :-( how come I never get to be the bearer of bad news?

Definitely a root, but still good news.

:blushing:AWWWW...oh well. At least it is actively growing!

I'll continue to be patient and keep fertilizing it weakly, weekly and watching for a spike. I can live with disappointment :( and I will continue to celebrate the spikes and roots that the micro-miniature orchids in my glass fish sculpture terrarium are blessing me with.

Thanks for being willing to tell me the truth. ;)

Cheers

If you scroll down this page of posts a bit, there is a thread titled "the difference between a root and a spike". It has some good photos in it.

It will happen eventually!

A lovely new root! I always say, any new growth is good news for me! Pretty soon a new leaf or is it already making the new leaf, and then in time for the cold season, it might just be able to give you the much awaited spike.

Good. Someone else said it. Its a root. A spike has a kind of mitten look, like a little thumb and fingers in a mitten. Hey, a root is great. I am finally getting large roots on my phals. I had to put them outside to do it. I thought that Phals started to spike in late winter and bloom late winter to spring. Fall, they should go through a cool down. Heck, most of my orchids are winter bloomers. I just don't have any that bloom in summer.

Well I'll give you some good news. A spike is right around the corner. Give this some good warmth, light, and food. In about three weeks, put it somewhere that is cool and somewhat dark. Keep it this way for a week and then put it back in it's normal place. It'll throw a spike.

Thanks James. Keeping it warm with lots and light and food for the next three weeks will be easy. Finding something cool and shady will be a challenge here in Washington since July/August is our "summer" with lots of heat and little respite and a husband who doesn't believe in A/C for the two weeks or so of hot weather. I'll do what I can:biggrin:

deep shade can also push spikes. Kool is a relative term. 10*f drop can also do it.

Deep shade I can definitely manage. I can pull the drapes in the spare room where I usually keep my orchids when they are not in bloom (everything is either outside now or near large windows for the summer sunshine), and I was thinking of playing with a "cooling" box of Styrofoam and dry ice that might cool a small area down 10-15 degrees during the day. Nights here are generally cool (50's right now with 70's highs)

Thanks for the advice. I am definitely feeling more confident with my orchids and excited to be learning more about them.

You have enough cooling if your diurnal temps are 50-70. That should do it.

"COOL" <giggle>

Aww that is a pity it's not a spike but still a root is
Still exciting nether less ;)

My Orchids love surprising me I've got 5 plants with 1 leaf each growing others with budding areas and another with new stem lol all good really I think if you leave them alone
Forget about them till watering then it makes it fun come watering period instead of checking every second lol ;)

I agree 100% Kerry. I have about 13 ochids now, most of them phals, but some Oncidiums, and one each Catt, Paph, Cym, and 4 micro-minis that live happily in a terrarium.

because of their different watering needs, I check them daily, and only water when they need it, which might be twice a week, weekly, or if its really humid every 10 days. I do love fussing with them, but need to remember the required "benign neglect" !

Congrats on your progress both with your plant and your confidence and knowledge as a grower. Both are awesome things to experience.

I had this same occurrence, the root vs. spike issue, a couple months ago now. I thought one of the Orchids that brought me to this board was in spike because it was growing a root just like your from between the leaves. I was so so excited, then it got a little bigger and I realized, nope, it's a root. BUT while I haven't gotten a spike yet this plant has put out some roots esp. considering how crappy they were to start.

So good luck to you and do keep us posted. I'm curious about the blooms to this plant. I have a Minho Princess x Lightning, love that guy. ;)