Phala - one stem turning red

[margob99]

Hi there, I was given this beautiful phala as a gift and determined NOT to kill it if at all possible. So far, 4 months later, so good. She (I have christened her "The Duchess") is flowering, and has lots of leaf and root growth. One stem is now turning red, and looking a bit crinkly, with nothing growing on it. Can I cut it off?

[Bolero]

That part of the stem has just finished, I see below the redness you have a spike. This normally happens when the original flowering has finished and it shoots a new spike from the side. You could cut the red part off but if it's not bothering you it doesn't hurt to leave it either. Wait until the lower part finishes flowering and then cut it completely off at the base of the plant without cutting the leaves. It should flower again next year with a new stem or two........

[sunshine]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. You have a terminal spike which means your phal is dying. But one of the spikes has a keiki (baby). Leave the keiki attached to the mother plant and wait for the roots to to get 3 or 4 inches long then you can detach from the mother plant and pot up.

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by sunshine

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. You have a terminal spike which means your phal is dying. But one of the spikes has a keiki (baby). Leave the keiki attached to the mother plant and wait for the roots to to get 3 or 4 inches long then you can detach from the mother plant and pot up.

Good pick up, I only noticed the one browning off. There is also a terminal spike as well which is unfortunate.

[margob99]

Thank you all for the comments. Given that I'm a complete newbie, please help me understand what you've all just said! What's a terminal spike? Which bit is it in the pic? (tell me if you need pics from other angles to verify). I can see the little leaf in the middle - a keiki, you say? How cool! Will look out for roots and nervously attempt to separate and pot the new baby plant. It's weird because it has, over the last month, had a rush of blooms across all the flower spikes, which made me feel so proud that I might be doing something right!

But, most importantly, what's a terminal spike? Have tried Youtubing without any real clear answers. Thanks so much!

[Bolero]

Terminal spike is the spike (or is it two?) coming up through the crown or middle of the plant. This means it will self destruct that growth basically. But should form a new plant so don't give up on it.

[margob99]

My orchid is terminal - and pregnant?! How cool is that!!!😊😊😊