Phal. philippinensis never ending spike

[Dimples]

I have a Phal. philippinensis that came to me over a year ago (shipped in bloom) and the spike length was normal. It has grown very well for me, two new larger leaves, tons of roots, and it started growing a new spike over this fall/winter.

The spike is 47” tall (1.19 m), still growing, and soon I’ll need to zip tie the 4th support stake to the top of the others. There are two side branches that are also still growing. My other phals that started spikes around the same time have already flowered, with most having finished or are well into their second or third round of bud growth.

There is not a single flower bud on the philippinensis. The plant appears very healthy and happy. I don’t use anything except DynaGro FP.

Anybody else have a never ending spike? What would you do with it if it was about to run into your ceiling?

Am I missing something about this species?

(Will add a photo soon)

[Dimples]

The camera on my new phone is worse than my iPhone 6 from 2015, then OB works it’s magic on the file, but here’s the photo.

Lowest red line is the origin point of the first branch, above that is the second branch origin point, and the top red line is where I had to cross them over each other and clip them to the stake.

[estación seca]

Experience the joy of watching it develop while it teaches you patience!

[Dimples]

Is there a known record for longest phal spike ever?

[Dimples]

Update about the phal. The two lower branches each produced a keiki at the end, without ever flowering. The main growth tip kept chugging along getting longer and ever closer to the window, but a check yesterday suggests it may also be developing a keiki. I’ll try and post some photos soon.

[Roberta]

It's possible that the keikis may produce their own spikes. I have a Phal.schilleriana that did something like that - started to spike, then sprouted leaves. No roots, Then produced nice flower spikes (one on each of two of these.) I think I posted photos awhile back (like February) Flowers eventually dropped (normally). Still big, fat leaves, no roots. Now, just in the last month, one of them has finally produced some roots, making it a true keiki. Soon to be separated. The other pair of leaves is still sitting on its spike, no sign of roots. These plants do what they want when they want... just sit back and watch the show.

[WaterWitchin]

That's amazing. Please keep us posted as it continues its journey. Maybe need to put in a sunroof? Contact Guinness Book of World Records?

[DirtyCoconuts]

this is amazing...i was just blown away the other day by a phal spike.

I was gathering my neighobr's mail as she is out of town and i meander back through her gardens as they are epic.....i noticed a phal spike with baby buds next to a branch overhead and i thought, 'where are you coming from?'

well i followed it to a corner where it revealed it was a brach off another spike that led to ANOTHER corner...double branched, well over 4', just crazy


let it grow and gather energy and it will become an amazing colony

[Dimples]

These are from June 23. One photo shows the plant’s normal spike tip at the very top of the spike. The other is a close up of the tip of a lower branch, it has flattened/widened and is beginning to push out the first leaf.

[Dimples]

The photos are from today (next message). The lighting wasn’t great so I’ve played with the photo editor. It’s not too far off reality, but the color is a little off.

Going off what Roberta said, I guess these are currently aerial growths, since they don’t have their own roots yet?