question about terminal spikes - Orchid Board

cirillonb · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 02:59 PM

I've been asked to look at a phal. because the owner could not get it to re-bloom. It is healthy although in the original sphagnum it was bought with, but that doesn't look too bad.
The flower spike was cut off above the node closest to the plant and a leaf is growing out of that node.
Is all lost or if I cut off the stem at the base might it bloom again?
If there is a chance I'll repot it for her and nurse it a while but I have neither time, space or patience to work on a lost cause (especially when it is not mine.)
Nick

RosieC · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:36 PM

Is the spike coming out of the side of the plant our out of the center?

If it's coming out the side and is now growing leaves then it is probably a keiki forming on the spike. This is just a baby Phal and once it has about 4" of roots it can be removed and potted up on it's own.

If the spike is coming out of the center of the Phal then the parent will not grow any further, but you may get a Basil Keiki which is really just a new growing point which can take over as the main plant, or again a keiki may form on the spike which can be potted up and replace the parent.

A pic might help us know what is happening if you are able to get one.

Dorothy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:39 PM

That's not a terminal spike ... a terminal spike arises from the center of the crown ...
A leaf on a cut spike is most likely a kieki .. a baby ...
Congrats to the owners .. they have a new bouncing baby Phal !

cirillonb · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:55 PM

thanks Rosie C and Dorothy. The leaf is on the stem that the previous flowers were on, ie. coming out of the side. I will get this phal stuff straight some day. I'll work on the plant for the owner.
Nick

stefpix · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 11:16 PM

Anyway when I started among teh few 1 dollar phals from a box store I got one with a terminal spike. 2 leaves only that looked healthy. anyway it has been growing a basal keiki that now has 2 leaves and roots and seems to be on the way to take over The thing is that the new leaves are very purple.... Is it because they are not still fully growns? it is under 2 T12 bulbs

Undergrounder · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:48 AM

new purple leaves is normally because of high light. Two T12s may or may not do it depending on how far away they are from the plant.

At any rate the purple should become greener as the leaf matures so i wouldn't worry about it too much.

quiltergal · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:50 AM

Sometimes when the flowers are purple or red the leaves are naturally a dark reddish purple regardless of light intensity.