does my orchid have a keiki

[Mr orchid man]

Hi I brought 4 New phal orchids and when I brought them home I noticed a leave on the flower spike I googled it and people are saying it's a keiki but I don't think it is because I don't see any roots on it. help!!

[dangerouseddy]

probably just an odd leaf, phals some times do that especially hybrids.

[PaphMadMan]

Just a small leaf a little out of place compared to the usual. Every node on the spike normally has a small scale-like bract, a vestigial leaf that doesn't develop. This one did. Far more common than most people seem to think.

[WhiteRabbit]

Is that spike coming from the crown (center of the plant)?

[Mr orchid man]

Yes it is oddly so when it dies do I still cut it off

[WhiteRabbit]

It's a "terminal spike" - meaning it terminates the plant's growth from the crown. It may still bloom from unbloomed leaf axils, and may start new growth from the base of the plant, or from a leaf axil.

[RosieC]

I had the same thought as Sonya. When I've seen leaves on the spike like this it's also been coming from the center... a terminal spike.

A terminal spike means there will be no new leaves from the crown, but hopefully it should grow a new crown to replace it.