Have a NOID Phal with unusual growth

[rdiwsky]

Hi! I'm completely new to everything Orchid ☺ I do believe I'm already addicted though lol.

Anyways my first question is...what is growing under her leaves? I'm trying to save a Phalaenopais for a friend. It seemed to be in really bad shape when I got it at the beginning of this month. I repotted her in bark and put some sphagnum moss on the top to try to keep it moist and get some root growth. When I got her she had 2 growths below the leaves which have grown quite a bit in the 2 weeks I've had her. 1 seems to be a leaf and the other growth above it I'm not sure what it is but it's nice and green and has also grown since I've had her. I've googled and searched all over trying to find out if leafs growing at the bottom of the crown above the roots is normal or what but can't find anything. Wondering if anyone here knows what's going on?

2nd question is... How many new leaves does a stressed out and extremely neglected Phal grow at a time? Everything I've read says Phals grow 1-2 new leaves a year typically but this girl has 4-6😮 I don't know maybe I'm wrong and she isn't a Phal or I just don't know what I'm doing and this is normal?

[greenpassion]

Wow! Initally, when I looked at the first pic, I thought it was a spike. But the second and third and fourth pics tell me otherwise. Actually I have no idea what is going on! I think even if they were basil kiekies they'd be coming from beneath the lowest leaves. Strange. And the speed of growth...it'll be interesting to see what others have to say about this!

[WhiteRabbit]

I do think that it's a basal keiki (baby plant). I have had a Phal that got one growing out from a leaf axis, rather than the more expected "base" of the plant.

[fishmom]

Yes, the plant is a phal, and it is grateful for the re-potting job you did. It is doing its best to push out new growth and survive.

The growth under the main leaves is a basal keiki, or basal growth. It is a normal growth pattern for a phal. Eventually it will put out new roots also. Leave it in place and you have the potential for a nice full plant with multiple spikes.

The 1-2 leaves-per-year refers to each stem on the plant. With multiple stems forming, you can get more leaves if the plant can support them. Continue to provide the best culture you can and the plant will reward you. There is a really good thread in the Beginner Discussion section titled "The phal abuse ends here". You can find answers to most culture questions there. Good luck!

[rdiwsky]

Thank you for your responses!

My guess from searching for answers was the little leaf was a keiki. So thank you for the confirmation 👍I still wonder if the little top pointy looking growth is going to turn into a leaf too I'm sure with the rate it's growing I'll find out soon!

Fishmom are you saying there is allot of leaves growing from the top all at once because there is more than 1 stem? I can't tell... I'm just happy to see so much pretty green growth lol