Broken Spike on Phal. Daniella Ter Laak

[adlemsi]

Yesterday I received a Phal. Daniella Ter Laak I bought on eBay. It's in spike but the post office mishandled the package (which was packed well by the seller) and the tip of the spike (about 2") broke off.

Will the fact that it's broken affect the spike's development? Should I do something to the remainder of the spike? Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

[adlemsi]

[addictedcountryman]

no. just spritz a lil hydrogen peroxide on the tip or cinammon to prevent infections. if you need to, i would cut it to make it a clean cut. also, sterilize your scissors first. you should be fine.

[adlemsi]

Will the spike continue to grow?

[addictedcountryman]

i don't think so. it might branch out underneath (if you decide to trim above the next node). i wish i could draw you a picture.

[addictedcountryman]

i don't think so. if you cut above the next node, it might branch out.

[adlemsi]

Okay. So I guess I'll cut the spike a bit. Thanks for your suggestions!

[Kuldking]

The same thing happened to my phal. The top of the spike broke off but it kept on growing. This pic is made in february. Right now the orchid is still flowering and there is nine flowers on that spike

[adlemsi]

Cool! So it does branch off!! I'm glad because this Phal. is so pretty.

[mehitabel]

Hi, adlem. I've broken, burned and otherwise damaged a lot of spike tips one way and another. My experience, like others here, was that it *wants* to bloom, and usually either the spike will branch from a node below the break to continue growing,

and/or it will put out a new spike. Or even both!

I'm sure you'll get your blooms.