"In Spike!!" Opinions

[Clawhammer]

I need a sanity check.

I just purchased a phal on Etsy. The first words in the title were "In spike!!". It showed up with an old spike, no flowers. I believe there is some successive blooming in some of the plant's background but it is not a sure bet. The spike is quite old. The ad had pics of the plants in full bloom.

Am I wrong to feel this is misleading? Doesn't "In spike!!" mean that you are about to experience a full bloom?

[Dimples]

If I ordered a plant that had been advertised as “in spike” I’d be expecting anything from a newly forming spike to a fully grown spike with open blooms. The latter should probably be advertised as “in bloom” but I’d still accept it. If I received a plant with a spike that has already dropped its blooms (not including obvious shipping induced blast/drop), I’d feel ripped off, regardless of the plant’s propensity to rebloom off old spikes.

“Has a spike” isn’t the same as “in spike”.

[Clawhammer]

Thanks for the sanity check. I ended up getting a refund but we agreed to disagree on the meaning of "In spike!!" (yes there were exclamation points)

[Dimples]

That seller is out of their mind. They sold you ABC gum and tried to tell you it was identical to a piece fresh from the package. Glad you got a refund but that level of deception and/or ignorance warrants sharing their username so others can avoid them, if you feel like it.

[Leafmite]

What Phal was it? Some Phals continue to send out new blooms on the same spike (i.e. my Phal bellina) as long as the spike is green. The vendor may have believed this to be true of the Phal.

[Jeff214]

I'd say that is misleading to a reasonable buyer. Even with the right intentions, the seller should understand why you'd might have expected something else. I find that aspect most troubling.

Brookside Orchids has a sensible FAQ on what those terms mean on their website. Orchids 101 (albeit that it doesn't supply those extra exclamation points...) It seem reasonable and easy to understand. I like vendors that are clear with their descriptions and I tend to stay away from sellers who use "!!" or "!!!" and other dramatic descriptions for their items (most of ebay haha. RARE! COLLECTORS ITEM! LAST CHANCE! YADDA YADDA).

I'd suggest the Etsy seller some light reading but I assume it would be pointless. Best to stay away!

[estación seca]

I agree with Leafmite. A reblooming jungle Phal with an old spike is very likely to rebloom from that spike in season. What was the hybrid?

[katsucats]

Assuming OP is right in his judgment that it's just an old, dried out spike, then the vendor is just trying to gaslight you. There's no two ways about this. In spike means it has a viable spike that, if culture is correct, will most likely flower in due time. With that said, due to potential in shipping damage, I would never pay extra for any plant in spike. In fact, I prefer buying plants that are not in spike.

[Clawhammer]

Thanks for the feedback!

I have had good experiences with this vendor in the past, and since I ended up getting a refund I don't think I will share the name.

The fact it was in spike actually wasn't much of a selling point to me, I was just confused by this aspect of the conversation and wanted a sanity check. The plant also had some leaf damage and some dead roots, so the refund was based on the plant being poor quality.

This was a (Sogo Lawrence x Chienlung Happy Queen) cross. The spike is still green and there is a growth point, but it is very old (covered in white buildup similar to the older leaves). Even if a phal is a successive bloomer, I think "in spike" means it is putting out a new spike.

[Ray]

If that old spike had a new branch growing from it, fine, but I’d state it that way. If not, I’d say “old, still-viable spike, not currently in bloom”.