a root or a flower spike??

[trps68]

I am a new orchid owner and I had received it for my birhtday in March of this year. well I kept it in bloom until last week, the last flower fell... but there is some kind of green sprout, two to be exact growing out of the base of my plant. According to other post on the internet they are saying it is a root but would the root be growing up instead of down? I tried to look at pictures to help identify it but that too is not helping me. I am going to take a picture of it and maybe someone here can help me....

[MattWoelfsen]

It is always a good thing to post a picture. However, you have to post five postings, I think. So just reply back to my note, that would be your 4th, and then reply back to another note or two and you'll reach your minimum. I think the reason the forum does this is to make sure that spambots are not invading the board, or some reason like that.

[Judi]

Welcome to OB! One orchid is how it always starts, then they just multiply. A flower spike looks sort of like a mitten. This link is to a good site showing you the difference between a root and a spike: How to Identify a New Orchid Root vs. Flower Spike | Brooklyn Orchids

Happy growing!

[trps68]

oh ok lol

---------- Post added at 10:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 AM ----------

Judi I looked on that site already and none of the roots are growing up in the air but it looks just like a root.... I am so confused

---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 AM ----------

I cant figure out how to upload the pictures??

[RosieC]

Roots can grow up in the air, even if the pictures aren't showing that. If the tip looks rounded like a root it probably is.

[Judi]

As Rosie said, roots can grow up in the air--or any other direction; they seem to have a mind of their own. The important distinction is the "mitten" look of a new spike. If you don't see a "mitten" it is a root, regardless of what direction it is growing.