Phal spike

[Hummer344]

Hi all,
I posted this on the newbie section and didn't get a bite except a request for a picture. (I haven't taken one yet). I have two phals that have spiked from the center of the plant. I know that this is not good for the plant & there is a high likely hood of plant death. I thought that the first one was just a oddity but then a second one spiked from the center. Is this just an oddity multiplied by two or is there a possible cause. My gut feeling is that this is just an odd happening.

Thanks
David

[mayres]

IMHO this is NOT happening for no reason. I have a plant that did this way back in November or so. I have been enjoying the flowers for the past five months! It is now subspiking again so even more flowers to come. Yes, you are correct. I have also been told by many that this means DEATH to the plant. Our only hope is that the plant will put out a keiki - either on the flower spike or a basal keiki - for me nothing yet. Not sure about your case, but in mine I believe there was mealy bug damage to the very small beginnings of a new leaf that prevented it from coming out (when it was so small I didn't even realize it was there) - a few other leaves shows some evidence of pest damage - sap oozing out of leaves. I got rid of all the mealies but was left with a plant that has no future. Here is what my plant looked like initially.........will keep you informed via this thread if/when anything of interest happens! Good luck with yours. Mike

[BillC]

Thanks for the pic, Mike. I have not seen this before and it is very interesting. As you mentioned, it has happened because of damage to a new leaf and without new leaves the plant cannot live. It also implies ensuring that plants are checked frequently for bugs. Glad I have encountered this oddity.

Bill

[DDS2007]

there was a similar post recently presenting the same problem ,
mike , i truely wish your Phal would turn out ok .. good luck to you too hummer