Phal starting to spike while actively growing new leaf?

[Dorchid]

The title says it all! We received this phal in poor shape from a deceased grandparent in March of last year. It then produced a spike with several flowers. As the initial flowers would drop, new flowers were continually produced from the apex of the raceme (my wife suggested this was a sign that her grandmother was keeping an eye on it from The Beyond). This went on for quite some time and just stopped a couple months ago. Over the last month or so a new leaf has started to emerge and in the last week a new spike has started to form. Per the number of dried spike nubs from previous blooms and the above described flowering trait, it would seem this is a particularly floriferous phal. However, I’m curious if anyone has seen this behavior before or if the fact that it’s spiking while actively growing a new leaf may be an indicator of poor conditions.

Sorry for the Wall of Text

[JScott]

There's nothing unusual about that, especially with hybrids. An individual natural species will have a certain bloom season and a certain growing season, however hybrids are a mix of so many different genes, these specific patterns get combined and mixed up. A lot of Phals will grow constantly without ever taking a rest period, and they will flower whenever they're ready, because they're uppity like that and you can't tell them what to do. So, no, nothing unusual going on here and nothing to worry about.

[Paphluvr]

Spiking while actively growing a new leaf as an indicator of poor conditions? On the contrary, the new growth looks great and the plant seems very happy. I'd say that it indicates the overall health of the plant.

[Dorchid]

Ha...yeah, I figured it was doing well but then wondered if the new spike was like a last ditch effort to reproduce; A “swan song” if you will. My other concern was whether the spike would divert resources from the new leaf and stunt it. And finally I was curious if I should continue with the current veg nute blend or switch to a flower blend. Anyway, thank you both for the input! Sounds like this may just be a confused phal.

[Mountaineer370]

I think you have nothing at all to worry about. I see things like this all the time in my Phals. New leaves growing, new roots growing, new spikes starting, new flowers coming off of old spikes -- often there are two or three of these things going on at once, with no detriment to the plant.

It sounds like a happy and healthy plant that was well-cared-for by your wife's grandmother.

[TheFilly]

I have several doing that just now too...existing flower spike with loads of flowers, adding new buds to the spike tip, adding new air roots, new leaf in the crown, existing big fat shiny leaves....just doing everything it wants all at once! !

[Dorchid]