Wow! After 7 months dormant, I have a bud!!!!!!

[lisadpa]

I'm a newbie, received my first Phal last May for Mother's Day (it was a request!)

I cannot believe I have a bud. It was as if it wasn't there one day and the next day, there it was.

I was late on a watering about two months ago and dropped two leaves. I only have two leaves left. I was certain the plant was a goner. And here comes my first bloom of the spring! (I hope!!!)

My window is a North-Western one, really right in between the two...it doesn't get direct sun and gets most light in the afternoons (filtered through a lace curtain). Do you guys think I'll have some luck this year?

Thanks

[lisadpa]

actually...I think it's a spike!

[BunnytheOrchid]

How exciting for you! Good job!!

[Kindrea]

That's great. Just in time for spring too. It always feels so good to be able to make a plant rebloom.

AFAIK, a lot of plants, (cacti, roses) do that, they'll reproduce/bloom when they undergo stressful situations. Not that you should really mistreat them, but sometimes you pamper them a bit too much, and all they keep on doing is sprout roots and new growth. Then something happens, and you worry it's the end, and poof! your plant springs a flower.

[patticake]

Congratulations on your spike! Keep us posted on how it's doing.

[jerrymeola]

It is the right season for Phal spikes. Enjoy it.

[patlee]

Lisadpa, I am only passing this on for what it is worth. Last summer I was trying to save a phal that was a gift to a friend, It had a very rotten root system (yours, I assume, does not). One of the hardest things I ever did was follow the advice of an experienced grower from this forum.She told me to cut it off and let the orchid re- direct its energy into making new leaves. The spike was was a last ditch effort from a plant that thought it was dieing...

It was terribly hard at the time. I thought I had saved it and was soooooo happy and proud! But I did as she said and now I have seven new leaves. A spike will show up sooner or later

This opinion is not in the majority and your plant may not be in a "stressed out" state. You have to do what you think best. I wish you and your orchid all the best

[Rocinante]

Congratulations and welcome, lisadpa! I'm waiting for my Oncidium to spike like an expectant papa! Let nature do it's will! Enjoy!