Terminal spiked Phal two years later (in bloom)
 

I know that "terminal spike" sounds, well - terminal, so I thought I would share this guy as evidence as to why you don't need to trash your Phal after it has gotten a terminal spike ;)

This grew a terminal spike two years ago (along with a normal spike). Later that year, it started a new crown just below the original. I don't know if this "new crown" would be considered a basal growth/keiki ? :dunno: The following spring, it spiked normally, and has done so again this year.

In the second pic, you can see the remains of the terminal spike, and the basal growth that came up just below it to the left.

So, I'll have to wait and see what it may do in the future, but for now, it's still growing and blooming :)

Mother nature bestows weird and wonderful!

Gorgeous, and wonderful to see the evidence that they can grow again after a terminal spike :cheer:

Most plants have at least one additional meristem at the base of each leaf. So it is reasonable that a lot of plants might sometimes form a side growth if they bloom from the apical meristem. Interestingly Iris hybrids do not do this - if a plant blooms on all growths it is a goner.

This one is blooming again - and it looks like the spike is from the new crown/growth/keiki :)

:cheer:

That is such a cute and beautiful flower, I love it ❤️

Beautiful flower, I can see why you kept it after getting that terminal spike.

What a cutie!

Rename
 

I have a phal that developed a terminal spike. I didn't know it until I read about it here and went and looked at all my plants and found one. Very depressing, but the plant bloomed forever and now has two plants growing out from the base that is almost as big as the momma. Should be relabeled something else besides "terminal" maybe graduating" or "reincarnating" spike. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

---------- Post added at 03:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:20 PM ----------

I only meant to put one smile, my remark wasn't that funny!!