A spiral spike?

[m3phist023]

This plant is fairly new to my collection. It's a Phal. Kilby Cassviola that I ordered from Norman's Orchids. It started spiking almost as soon as I took it out of the box! I just though it was interesting how the spike was growing, so here are some pics. Rather than train the spike, I figured I would let nature take its course and see what I end up with..... it's winding upwards like a spiral staircase would.....

[jay]

Is that the direction that the plant has been sitting since you received it?

If it is I think that the spike is just trying to orient itself with the sun. I think Phal flowers like to face the sun. If you keep it facing this way, it will stop the spiral when it is pointing at the sun.

I will let someone a little more knowledgeable comment on this as well, but that is what I think.

Jay

[mayres]

Jay - you are 100% correct. The spikes will grow toward the brightest light. This is a very handy phenomena to utilize in training the spike to grow to our wishes!

[m3phist023]

I have rotated it once or twice. I'll turn it again and see what happens..... That windowsill is my kitten's favorite spot to sit, so I figured if I kept it turned away, he might not notice it and decide to take a bite. He usually leaves the phals alone, though (the dendrobiums are another story). I'm not fussed about it- flowers are flowers, even if the spike is weird looking.

[patlee]

I had a Phal noid upstairs with the exact same s-hook spike . Very strange looking, but I brought it from Home Depot that way. So now the choice is up to you--almost sounds as if you want to keep it spirally. If so, beware-- within a week of turning the plant to the light source, the "S" had straightened out.

Good growing

[m3phist023]

Well, just thought I would give you all an update. The spike is no longer spiraling, but has blessed me with some beautiful, fragrant blooms! They have sort of a subtle lemony creamy smell. The spike is very short in comparison to the plant, but it looks nice to me. A very compact display....
The picture is not very good as it was taken with my cell phone and e-mailed to myself. My digital camera took a major dump, unfortunately

[BunnytheOrchid]

How exciting! They look lovely!

[patticake]

What pretty blooms! I love the pastels. Very soft and fresh looking! Thanks for the photo!

[kmarch]

That
s really a georgous phal. Interesting how it's essentially white wiht greenlateral sepals. That's really interesting.

[Tobi]

Very nice blooms. The aroma seems to match the lovely delicate colors.
Congrats!!

[tizzycat]

Very lovely, congratulations

[patlee]

Oh,Oh,Oh. I was looking at that phal on a grower's site and trying to decide if I liked it. Believe it or not, when you made his thumbnail picture larger, it was not at clear as yours Now I can see that it really does have a lovely bloom

Thanks so much for sharing

[chefatplay]

What a beautiful refreshing color. Ohhhh, I like this one.

[m3phist023]

Thanks, everyone!

I was very thrilled with this one. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to grow it since I've heard that Phal. violacea (one of the parents) is tempermental. I think there are wuite a few others in the mix, so maybe this one is more easy-going!

Kmarch- the lateral sepals are actually creamy yellow with orangey-brown freckles toward the center- you can't tell from the pic because it's really dark. Normally I'm not a white phal person, but I liked the shape of the flower and the freckles.