Is this a terminal spike?

[leslieann79]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

I will be very interested to find out the bloom color on it! I would love to get my hands on a purple leaf phal. I love the way that looks.

I have another one with purple leaves that I know for sure what it is. Its a dtps sogo vieker. It was shipped to me purple and has stayed that way. I don't think that one normally has purple leaves. The one I've posted about here was a clearance Lowes phal. I don't know if there is something about my growing conditions that are keeping them purple or if its in their plant dna.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by leslieann79

I don't know why they are purple. I've bought several phals that had purple leaves and they've stayed that way.

---------- Post added at 03:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:35 PM ----------

This phal just had a spike growing a little higher up than I've seen on my plants before. Im glad its not a terminal spike. Now I know it has to be coming from the center for it to be terminal. Thanks

My take re the color of the new spike....this may be a very dark pink verging on purple.....or purple spotted.

I confess, the color of the leaves threw me off too, only cause I've never seen that before.

But isn't the adventure exciting?

[leslieann79]

It will be fun to see what this bloom looks like!

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by leslieann79

It will be fun to see what this bloom looks like!

Right? GREAT ADVENTURE!!!!!!! The upside of finding discarded plants crying out for rescuing! Well, one of many upsides.

Better than buying small hybrid seedlings.....that, I think, is more like dice rolling.
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Addendum:

Just delved and came upon this!

Why are my phal's leaves red, reddish or purple? -

[JMNYC]

REVISION! Sorry! I was looking at the pic someone was kind enough to put up of one of his Phals which does have a terminal spike. Indeed, as everyone has concluded, the OP's plant is producing a spike normally not from the crown!
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Sorry to say this, but I believe that plant does have a terminal spike....and whatever is emerging from the base of THAT, I do not know.

In monopodial orchids, leaves emerge cleanly from the crown, one after another. That is not what I see in yr pic; I see a leaf having formed on an inflorescence emerging from the crown.

[SRL]

SRL's photo is a terminal spike (but the plant looks healthy & probably will send out a basal keiki).

I'm hoping it does. Any ideas on what to do to encourage a keiki?

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by SRL

I'm hoping it does. Any ideas on what to do to encourage a keiki?

Tell us, what color were the blooms on that puppy? is it a semi alba?

I once tried keiki paste, but came to learn I didn't need it. If you grow that Phal dry, and consider removing the terminal spike.....very likely you will get basal keikis.