My new phal...sunburned stalk?

[loviek]

Hey guys! It feels like forever since I've posted, finally have some time to get on today. I bought this little phal from Lowes a week and a half ago. It was a clearance plant and surprisingly was in better shape than the rest. It's leaves were burned, bloom stalks dry and shriveled up, but the roots on this plant were very healthy. The expensive phals looked nice with full blooms and big leaves but roots were black and rotting...eek, pretty much a death sentence. Now this little phal looks like it's doing okay, it's acutally bloomed out now.

I am wondering what to do about the stalk though...if you look close in the first picture you can see the black spot on the stalk. It's not mushy, just hard and dry...but the flowers are firm so the stalk isn't dead. Should I cut the stalk off completely? I don't want to risk the plant to rot if that's what it is. Or do you think maybe the stalk was sunburned?


~Lovie

[mehitabel]

Sorry, middle-aged eyes. Can't see the black spot. However, I would not cut the spike. A hard dry black spot is likely not trouble. If it were trouble, my guess is the flowers would die before it got to the plant.

Enjoy your flowers-- it's a beautiful, intense color -- and don't worry. The flowers would be signalling problems with the stem if there were any.

If the black spot spreads toward the plant, then you might worry

[Stelios]

as i can see you have cut the dried/burnt spike on the updated photo. I wouldn't worry it looks like it's getting better. I expect that it will re-bloom next year and you will enjoy a full spike or two.

[mytwogirls]

I would not cut, but I am no expert, that is just my gut instinct. Beautiful flowers! I am jealous!!!!

[Schlyne]

I would leave it alone. I have some black spots which do not spread on my Epic. volcano trick fireball spike after a battle with spider mites, and it hasn't done the plant any harm. From what I can see without a close up, they look about the same as the spots on your spike.