Cut phalaenopsis spike branching?

[georgiabelle]

Hi everyone! This is my first post, so forgive my mistakes please!

I came across a forum on an orchid website a few months back saying that cut phal orchid spikes in water produces keikis! I was of course thrilled to try this, and cut my spike a little early while it still had two flowers. I thought that it was done growing and that the flowers would last and then the spikes would brown, as it had already produced.

The flowers wilted around a month ago, and I decided to pinch them off but leave the spikes in the water. I moved them from inside to outside where the rest of my orchids are, to see if that would make a difference. I also peeled back all the nodes to reveal the little "could-be" growths!

On December 22nd, I took the first picture of noticeable growth! (Seen below in reply)


And today, December 31st, the changes are DRASTIC! (Below) Almost like it is branching out instead of growing a keiki! I'm in awe at this point!

[DeaC]

Hi there and welcome. I'm intrigued by the info and more so with the result. Keep us posted! Happy New Year too!

[georgiabelle]

Thanks so much! Realized I didn't post the photos! Going to (try) to right now!



This is from the 22nd of December

[bil]

Looks a lot like a spike to me.

[georgiabelle]

That's what I was thinking! It looks just like a new spike but it's just in water! I'd be dumbstruck if it blooms.

[gngrhill]

wow, that's fantastic. Good going !

[wintergirl]

I think it may bloom. I knocked off a flower stem with buds, just set them on a shelf (not even in water) and you know they opened a few days later....

[georgiabelle]

This spike didn't even have that though. The new branch is developing on its own in just water.. Which is amazing! I hope it'll bloom, it'll be a New Years miracle :-)))

[georgiabelle]

Hi everyone! Adding new pictures of growth so everyone can take a look - I also took a picture of the entire spike so everyone can see how it looks :-) There are two spikes, and I am willing to experiment with the other one as it also shows signs of growth, albeit slower!


Here is the entire spike!


This shows how it's curving away from the spike.


Another example of the curve!


An up-close of the actual growth.. It looks like it's going to flower but that can't even be possible, can it?

It's curving out from the rack to go closer to the light source! It's actually really cool!

[georgiabelle]

Hi guys!

It's been about a week and a half since I last posted in this thread, and things have gotten pretty exciting! There has been noticeable growth, and I'm pumped about showing you guys the results!

The spike is obviously branching out, and its forming a BUD. I am in utter disbelief.

I also attached a photo of my entire nook of orchids - some things have moved around since yesterday, the puppy has started liking to chew on plants....


Will keep you updated, love hearing from you guys!
Georgia