Phalaenopsis with a terminal flower spike

[W Stender]

Hello all,

I first posted these pictures in the introduction page, and I have since decided to move them to this area of the forum. My reason for posting the images is because I had never seen a phal produce a flower spike from the center of the monopodial stem, and I thought it was a hybrid. I wanted to know what it was so I posted the picture. I have since found out it is called a terminal spike. This is what kmarch said in the previous post:

"Spiking (growing a flower stem) from the crown (center of the plant where the leaves grow from) is not normal for a phal. Some forum members are of the opinion that this spells the end for the orchid, and this is sometimes the case. However, phals can start new growths form the base fo the plant and they can also keiki from the nodes onthe inflorescence (keiki = baby; phals can grow a baby plant from one of the joints [nodes] on the flower stem [inflorescence])."

So my question is, what is me next step with this plant? Can I force it to produce keikis (how) and then throw out the dying plant? Will it rebloom? (if not, then I guess I throw it out?). What should I do. Although I love orchids, if this plant will never rebloom, then what is it worth?

[digitalgate]

you already have a keiki on your hand. The leaf in the centre is a keiki. Let it grow 3 -4 roots to about 3.-4 inches and then you cut the keiki awy and it will regrow into another
new plant. hopefully your bottom wlll grow another keiki from bottom(very low chances)
you will see new bloom in 18 months.

[articuno75]

Mayres had a similar Phal and posted it in a thread. The thread was called Keiki or Subspike, What Do You Think? Mayres is the CHAMPION when it comes to Phals. Read this thread that I gave the link to and see if it helps. Hopefully Mike will see this and give you some pointers on this situation.

[BunnytheOrchid]

I didn't think orchids grew "terminal spikes." I have two echeverias, and have been told that succulents grow terminal stems from the center of the plant when they're ready to seed, but I didn't think orchids did this too. I've never seen this before, so I don't have any real advice (Sorry!), I'm actually really curious what other answers other people will give you. I'll stay tuned...

The center spike has a leaf as well. Would that make a difference whether or not its at its end? If it grew another leaf, to me that signals its still growing and holding on I don't know. Hopefully other growers here do.

[mayres]

Jenny - you and a few others give me too much credit! I'm just learning like the rest of you! W Stender - you have the concept correct - terminal spike = no more crown. At this point we hope for a keiki in order to have the plant continue. On this account it does appear that digitalgate is correct as well - you have a leaf growing on one of your flower spikes already = keiki = new plant. Lucky duck. At some point you may get a basal keiki as well - which would be able to grow from the roots from your original plant - only time will tell. I'd suggest you keep doing what you're doing and see what happens - keep us informed and keep showing off those good pics - we all learn from these experiences. Enjoy & Thanks! mike

[evagentry]

I have a plant with a terminal spike that also has a basal keiki, from what I have read the plants dont die, they just dont bloom anymore, they can still be folage plants, so enjoy it and consider it a learning experience.

[mayres]

The problem is that the portion of the plant with the terminal spike will never grow any more leaves - so eventually that portion of the plant WILL die. When you have a basal keiki it can grow and take over the root system and eventually become THE plant as the original monopodial plant looses all its leaves over time.

[articuno75]

I have a plant with a terminal spike that also has a basal keiki, from what I have read the plants dont die, they just dont bloom anymore, they can still be folage plants, so enjoy it and consider it a learning experience.

If a terminal spiked Phal doesn't bloom anymore, would you think it would only produce keikis?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

you already have a keiki on your hand. The leaf in the centre is a keiki.

I don't think the leaf on the inflorescence is a keiki. It's just one leaf and notice that it doesn't appear to have a crown.

I'm afraid it looks as if the spike has been cut off which means the nodes which can produce a keiki are gone.

[digitalgate]

roots will come , roots will come, patience

[sandra]

Originally Posted by articuno75

If a terminal spiked Phal doesn't bloom anymore, would you think it would only produce keikis?

In a perfect world Jenny. The only thing you can expect it to produce is buds. That's why Mike is using kieki paste, trying to get a kieki on his Phal with the terminal spike and if it doesn't work, it's history. A Phal with a terminal spike doesn't, in any kind of last ditch effort necessarily start producing kiekis.

Originally Posted by kmarch

I don't think the leaf on the inflorescence is a keiki. It's just one leaf and notice that it doesn't appear to have a crown.

Do/can spikes produce leaves? I've never seen leaves on a Phal spike.

[mayres]

I will admit I'm only a few years into this - so still have MUCH to learn - so it will be interesting to see if your leaf turns out to grow roots or not? It is hard to say from the picture you have provided. Can you take a close up of how the leaf is attached to the spike? We might be able to tell from a better examination if this is indeed a keiki or some sort of strange spike-leaf (which I have never seen before either Sandra). It would be interesting to see if there is indeed no crown on the leaf - hard to see the detail in the photos provided.

[evagentry]

Jenny, a phal with a terminal spike will eventually die as it can no longer grow, but untill it does die, it is still has the possibility of producing a keiki.

[PhalPal]

WStender - didn't you tell us in your intro post that you bought this orchid from a florist?? (If I am remembering correctly) If this is the case, it wasn't cheap and I would take it back and exchange it. Florists shouldn't be selling Phals with terminal spikes to anyone.

[PhalPal]

And jeezz....hurt feelings here.......

[articuno75]

Sorry Connie! This was posted earlier and I knew Mike would be on before you. He may be the King, but you are the Queen!!!