Phaiocalanthe terminal spike? - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 12-02-2011, 07:33 AM

Can Phaiocalanthes (and I suppose the question goes for Phaius and Calanthes as well) have terminal spikes?

The reason for my question is that all of mine (Phaius and a Phaiocalanthe) usually only have two bloom stalks off the side of the plant. However, my Phaiocalanthe (which I got just last spring) has two spikes on the side and one coming smack dab out of the center! I know this is terminal spike behavior, but I thought it was more confined to Phal's.

Is this center spike normal or not?

Bud · #2 12-02-2011, 02:19 PM

I also thought only Phals have terminal spikes...but I would like to know if your plant will grow a keiki on the terminal spike. Maybe it will grow new leaves on the terminal spike and wont make it terminal at all...

PaphMadMan · #3 12-02-2011, 02:45 PM

A 'terminal spike' normally means a spike developing from the apical meristem of a monopodial orchid like Phalaenopsis, causing the normally continuous upward growth of the plant to stop, limiting the lifespan and productivity of the plant unless a basal keiki forms.

Phaius etc. are sympodial orchids with successive new growths coming from the base of the plant in season, each of which has a limited life. I'm not sure how common it is for them to produce a spike from the top of the growth, but it isn't a 'terminal spike' in the usual sense. It is just another spike from a growth that would only produce spikes for a limited period anyway. Maybe it is unusual, but it isn't significant. It doesn't affect the plant's lifespan or productivity.

gnathaniel · #4 12-02-2011, 03:25 PM

My Dad's Phaius tankervilleae (a couple different clones) always throw huge fat spikes right from the top of the pseudobulbs, as far as I've seen. There are other active nodes on the 'shoulders' of the PBs but these only seem to produce new vegetative growths. It's possible that different environmental conditions may change inflorescence growth patterns in this group.

--Nat

Ray · #5 12-02-2011, 03:37 PM

I have never had a phaius do anything BUT a terminal spike!

Bud · #6 12-02-2011, 05:13 PM

Right...I now remeber I have some of my Dendrobiums do a terminal spike...

Paul Mc · #7 12-02-2011, 06:52 PM

Yeah, I was hoping that since the old growth dies yearly that this would not be an issue. Also wasn't sure that these could really have terminal spikes per say, or whatever the true term would be. Glad to hear it's not going to be a problem! Now I'll kick back and watch it bloom in peace, lol.... Thanks everyone!