Flower spike coming out of crown - Orchid Board

erock · #1 05-19-2010, 10:04 PM

I have a phal that formed a flower spike out of the middle of the plant (the crown)and has a leaf attached to the spike itself. Usually the spike forms between the leaves but this is coming straight out of the crown. When the flowers die, should I cut the spike just above the leaf or should I cut the leaf off too? Not sure if this is genetic or not. I can upload a picture if that helps. The spike also developed what looks like a "cup" higher up on the spike. Really strange.... Any info would be helpful...

Rosiefuture · #2 05-19-2010, 10:40 PM

Yes, some pics would help a lot. I wouldn't cut the leaf off as it may develope into a keiki.

Marion

erock · #3 05-20-2010, 12:04 AM

definitely not a keiki... the newest leaf on the phal is attached to the spike. I'll take pics tomorrow...

WhiteRabbit · #4 05-20-2010, 12:28 AM

If your plant is a Phal it sounds look a terminal spike - so don't cut it - your plant may no longer be able to grow from the crown, so hopefully you will get a keiki (or more than one) on your spike, or basal keiki(s)

erock · #5 05-20-2010, 12:45 AM

Just googled "terminal spike" and thats exactly what it is from the pictures I've seen. Hoping for a Keiki and writing to Just Add Ice Orchids to try and get my money back. Rather disappointed that my first orchid I bought will never flower again... It looks so healthy!!

stefpix · #6 05-20-2010, 02:05 PM

Had one grew a keiki that became larger than the orig plant. Old leaves still attached...

erock · #7 05-20-2010, 07:00 PM

The company is sending me a new orchid on Monday. I wrote some choice words on their facebook page and they got back to me ASAP. So I'm getting a replacement and possibly have a keiki emerge from the orchid with a the terminal spike. Thank you White Rabbit for diagnosing the issue. I'm new to orchids but have dived in and have learned a huge amount about them in a short amount of time... Went to school for ornamental horticulture but never got into orchids until now...

WhiteRabbit · #8 05-20-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erock

The company is sending me a new orchid on Monday. I wrote some choice words on their facebook page and they got back to me ASAP. So I'm getting a replacement and possibly have a keiki emerge from the orchid with a the terminal spike. Thank you White Rabbit for diagnosing the issue. I'm new to orchids but have dived in and have learned a huge amount about them in a short amount of time... Went to school for ornamental horticulture but never got into orchids until now...

That's great they are sending you another Phal! And you have some new knowledge too! Hoping for keikis for you!

sweetjblue · #9 05-20-2010, 08:09 PM

erock, check out this link. This was a reply to some one who previously asked the same question.

Phal with center bloom.

As you will see a keiki on the terminal spike will, in all likelyhood, give you a plant that will have the same habit of sending a spike from the crown. If you cut the spike totally off you can hope for a basal keiki coming from further down on the plant stem (where your leaves are).

It's great that the company is sending you a replacement, not every one would.

GL with your plant.

Judi

RosieC · #10 05-22-2010, 03:36 PM

My local garden center are selling massive Phal hybrids at the momment (massive plants with massive flowers) and I was tempted until I saw that many of them had terminal spikes. I wondered about explaining to the staff about the problem with them, but I doubt they will do anything about it because they know that people will still buy them.