Is my Orchid growing a keiki or a flower spike?

[Jmerrell138]

Hi! My name is Jessica and I just started caring for orchids. I am wondering if anyone can tell me if I am growing a keiki or another flower spike?.. My orchid spike grew in a severe right angle and now the inside corner of the stem has doubled in thickness and there is some kind of bud growing. I'm hoping its a keiki but I guess it could also be another flower spike... any ideas??

[jkofferdahl]

It's hard to tell just what's going on there. Keikis and stem growth both must originate from a node and the node on yours is a bit under the spot in question. It's possible that the node somehow grew internally for a bit - I've never heard of that happening but with orchids anything is possible - and is trying to now get out. It could also simply be some sort of edema.

[rbarata]

It's not a common location for a keiki or a spike to grow so the odds of that being happening are minimal.

[Jmerrell138]

The flower on the back of the corner is growing out of a node so technically thalittle bud is growing out of a node... but that still leaves the issue of that little double thick stem. Weird

[jkofferdahl]

OK, here's why I'm not sure. The flower itself came from that particular node and nothing else is going to develop there. Just below it, however, is a node with growth potential. IF what you're seeing and showing us is more than just a random swelling, whatever it is would have to have somehow grown up inside the stem to where it is possibly now beginning to protrude. Honestly, I don't think that's overly likely, though I suppose it COULD happen. I've seen orchids do even odder things. Whatever it is, it will resolve itself and answer questions pretty quickly.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, Jessica!

Orchids teach patience. We look forward to finding out when you do! Please keep showing us photos.