Bulbophyllum carunculatum spike question

[musicloveranthony]

Hi!
I have a division of a B. carunculatum that has had a spike growing on it for about 2 months. The spike had been growing quite quickly and looking greatly, until the last two days. In the last couple days, the tip of the spike started turning do a dark brown, almost black color. Does anyone have any ideas what this is?

[Psyguy10]

Anthony, I am no expert, but to me it looks like it may be rotting, or blasting. If the spike brown is mushy it's definitely rot, if it's dry and feels like a spike should it might be a bacterial infection. Again, I'm no expert, just telling you what i see (or think I do).

If it continues downward towards the plant slice it off immediately, so the plant isn't infected.

If i'm right, I am sorry. carunculatum is a pretty one.

[musicloveranthony]

it is soft, and moving downwards, yes. i guess i'm not sure what would have caused an infection...there's no opening in the bud, at i all...so i just cut the spike off at the base, then? it's too bad

[musicloveranthony]

Looks like you're right, Matt. it's very soft where the dark coloration is. I just cut the spike about a centimeter below the rotted area. I know it won't regrow from the same spike, but i am nervous about cutting the whole spike off and risking introducing an infection closer to the pseudobulbs, if i cut the spike further down. It's unfortunate I have no idea what could have caused this

[Psyguy10]

Don't worry Anthony, it happens to everyone. I had an infection on my Bulbo echinolabium, i barely did catch it in time, luckily it's growing happily now. Same with my Phrag Giganteum, for some reason it got points of infection on the tips of the leaves.

Make sure you put a little bit of cinnamon on the cut, it'll help kill any bacteria (and ALWAYS use clean, sterile cutting tools!)

I hope it blooms for you again soon, just keep up the good growing!