What is the verdict? Spike? Root?

[mytwogirls]

It has been exactly one week since I posted the photo of the nub in question. Here is what it looks like today.



I still do not see a mitten, but it does not really look like a root either. Is it REALLY a spike?

Here is what it looked like a week ago.

[Ochin@]

Yup, that's a spike....Congrats

[Breezy79]

CONGRATS

[SamIAm]

hello my,
if you look close at your first picture (current)...you can see, ever so slightly, a small indentation on the left, which as it grows, will become more mitten shaped.
looking good
Congrats and Enjoy...

[-k-]

Yeah!!!! Yeah!!!!

[LouisW]

I can see the mitten!

[mytwogirls]

Oh wow! I am so excited! I feel like Christmas has already come for me! I still have never seen a spike that little so I was doubting myself, but now I am so excited.

Ok, so now that I have a spike I have some questions:
1. Do I have any special care I need to give my orchid now that it is "with spike?" (Like watering, fertilizer, light, temp.?)

2. I have a spike pole and clips that came with my orchid when I got it last year. When do I attach those? (obviously not now!)

3. Do I "teach" the spike to grow up into an arch, much like it was when I first got it?

Sorry for so many questions, I just want good advice from all you experts!
Thanks again!!!!!!!! Only orchid geeks can know what it feels like to get your first ever spike!

[dorothea]

Originally Posted by mytwogirls

1. Do I have any special care I need to give my orchid now that it is "with spike?" (Like watering, fertilizer, light, temp.?)

2. I have a spike pole and clips that came with my orchid when I got it last year. When do I attach those? (obviously not now!)

3. Do I "teach" the spike to grow up into an arch, much like it was when I first got it?

1. don't change a thing! you got your spike because of the conditions you provided for your orchid. just leave it in the same place, spikes grow towards light so you shouldn't rotate it much

2. you can use them, but wait until spike is strong enough. you can see how the color changes from light green to darker, this darker part you can clip without danger of breaking the spike

3. you'll see when it grows buds it will arch naturally from the weight

I'm no expert, this is just from my experience with phals

[mehitabel]

Originally Posted by mytwogirls

...I still do not see a mitten, but it does not really look like a root either. Is it REALLY a spike?

It's a spike all right. Good growing!

[mytwogirls]

Thank you all!!!!!

[syndywindy]

[lmartiny]

It is a spike. Settle in for a wait.