Spike growing in a serpentine

[isurus79]

Very bizarre! My first thought was a moving light source or rotating plant position. Sounds like that's not the case.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Very bizarre! My first thought was a moving light source or rotating plant position. Sounds like that's not the case.

The light source is directly above the plant as seen below and wasn't turned around or moved at all after relocated from the windowsill.


It used to be next to these guys in the windowsill, but got moved when the spike was quite small with no buds on it.


I'm thinking that the amount of light received at the tip of the spike is much lower then a few inches back, so it probably turned around to go towards the higher light source. I've never seen spikes react as much as that. Often buds will turn to face the light but the spike will continue growing somewhat in the same direction. I don't grow many Catasetinaes and this is the first year they bloom for me (got these as seedlings last year, so didn't really know if this is a common behaviour.

[JScott]

I think that is called "fasciation", and I think it is caused by random hormonal changes, or something. I'm not totally sure. But I think it is random and there isn't anything you could or should have done differently.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by JScott

I think that is called "fasciation", and I think it is caused by random hormonal changes, or something. I'm not totally sure. But I think it is random and there isn't anything you could or should have done differently.

Wow that's fascinating, I'll have to read up on that! Thanks!

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by JScott

I think that is called "fasciation", and I think it is caused by random hormonal changes, or something. I'm not totally sure. But I think it is random and there isn't anything you could or should have done differently.

That's what I was going to post, it looks like something physiological. I've seen something similar on a none orchid plant, just not so extreme!