Spike or root

[pugmom]

I know this has probably already been posted to death, but I tried searching and found nothing.......

How do I tell the difference between a new spike or a new root (when they are very small).

Does anyone have and pictures they can show me to compare?

I have a phal who was in pretty bad shape about 3 months ago, it has two small nodes that kind of look like roots but kind of not, I will post pics if the answer is not obvious form what you all have to tell me about the difference.

TIA

[-k-]

As many members have termed it in the past, a new spike has a mittin look to it as a new root is well... simply that a new root! Both are a good sign if the plant was in poor condition a few months ago. Sometimes when just developing it's a bit difficult to determine...

[pugmom]

Roots???

[Dendian]

It is very hard when they are small, because they look a lot alike.

The thing that I have noticed about spikes is they tend to come out exactly in the center of a leaf (sort of a V place), whereas roots will come out anywhere (also in the V, sometimes).

Another sign that it is a root it it turns white when it gets a bit older, and only the tip stays green (or purple), a spike is always green (or purple), top to bottom.

To my eyes, a root is a round point tip and a spike sort of looks flattened on the end - like an oval shape that comes to a wedge, not a tip. I will see if I have any beginning roots that I can take a picture of tomorrow, when I have better light.

Having now viewed your picture, I can say congratulations, you have two healthy new roots!

[pugmom]

I thought for sure this plant was going to die so this is a good thing, they just look different then the roots my other plants are growing, they are bright green and then purple where they meet the plant.

There is a third one on the other side (a teeny tiny one)

Thanks !!!!

[PhalNewbie89]

I would say they are probably roots from the look of it but you never can tell. My plant put out what looked like a root with a flat end on it and it eventually turned out to be a spike so who knows, but that totally looks like roots to me.

[kmarch]

Those are roots.

[syndywindy]

Those are roots, but that's still a good thing if the plant was in poor shape. Patience, grasshopper!

[maiseymoo]

They look like roots, but that is still good!