Looks like a root to me also. I was always told that spikes on Phals come out from under/between the leaves at the very center of where a leaf vein is but on the crown and never anywhere else. Hummm, I didn't explain that well, did I. Sorry! All the rest are roots. And so far, I see that it is true with mine. This is the time of year mine spike due to temp drops in the evenings. They need that to stimulate spiking. I wish I had a pic of one in spike to post so it would make more sense. My explanations leave lots to be desired.
kiki-do