New spike on a nearly rootless Phal...

[Olive Cook]

Let me just start this thread by letting you all know that I have FINALLY had success getting new roots to grow on a sad rootless Phal! And ALL the thanks in the world goes out to you geeks!

With that in mind, I had a couple Phals tip over in the move and while getting them put back in their pots I noticed that hey could us some time in "rehab" to gain new roots. As I have learned from you all, when the roots are sad it's best to cut the spikes so th plant puts it's energy into growing the new roots...which I am planing to do.

During the repotting, I noticed a nub, that looks just like a new spike, coming from directly under the current spike. (there is a leaf in between them though) To me it looks nothing like a root, but I'l leave that up to you after I have pics up.

Unfortunately, my camera is still at the old house, I'l have to pick it up later and take some pics to show you what I'm talking about....
My biggest questions are:
do you all think the spike nub would survive the extra humid conditions the plant will need for new roots? (if it is indeed a spike)
And: Will this new spike hinder the plant from growing new roots?

Thanks for any oppinions, I'll have pics up tonight!

[mytwogirls]

I would think that yes it would survive and no I don't think it would hinder it. I think if that orchid REALLY WANTS to spike, by gosh it is gonna do what it is gonna do (kinda like toddlers!) I don't know if this helps you, but if it were MY orchid, I would let it spike and grow roots.

[-k-]

[QUOTE=Olive Cook;201932]
do you all think the spike nub would survive the extra humid conditions the plant will need for new roots? ![/QUOTE

What do you mean by this, will you be simulating an environment of high humidity?

[Olive Cook]

K, the Phal that I currently have in rehab I put the damp moss in the bottom of a glass, vase-like candle holder, then put in the Phal and bagged the top. I'll post a pic of that set up later too. It worked wonders, along with the root hormone spray every couple of days. But it is VERY humid in there, the bag on top never goes dry completely.

[-k-]

Ahh... That explains it! Thanks, was a little confused...
If it's entirely rootless I would probably leave any new growths, from what I've learned from my phals is they seem to put out spikes and roots near the same time. Granted this is not always the case, but If new roots do appear and the spike keeps growing, then at that point I guess it is personal choice whether to remove the spike. Can't really say if the spike will tolerate the humid condtions or not, just not sure>?

Perhaps some other folks will be able to provide more info and their learning experience with rootless phals. I have a few that I was able to regrow roots on, that were rootless, but I used a different technique...

[11Orchid126]

Perhaps it's not a spike or a new root. Perhaps it's a keiki.

[Olive Cook]

oh no, I've got keikis (basal growths) on these plants, and it is most deffinately not that. However, just my luck when I went to the old house today I grabbed my camera but forgot the transfer cable!
Tomorrow, I will be moving MORE stuff, and I'll be sure to grab it then to post some pics

[Olive Cook]

This doesn't look like a root to me, and also in the pic is the very small basal growth... This plant went into rehab today, so we'll see how it goes. Honestly, the one that has been in my rehab set up for the last couple months was worse off than these two, and is doing much better now with several new roots popping out So these should do great!







(both pics are the same plant, so there is no confusion)

[Olive Cook]

Ok, now I've never had a Phal put out a new spike, so I'd really like so more knowledgeable eyes to let me know if that's what that is
Thanks!

[flowerpower]

Originally Posted by Olive Cook

During the repotting, I noticed a nub, that looks just like a new spike, coming from directly under the current spike.

Firstly congratulations on getting your orchid to put out new roots.

Personally, I don't think it's a spike though.

Usually spikes appear from alternating sides up the main body of the orchid. I would expect it to appear from where the leaf grows, somewhere above (on the opposite side) where the last spike appeared. This is coming out below, and far away from a leaf.

I can't see the characteristic mitton-like tip of a new growing spike but that could be the angle.

It sounds like your orchid needs a new root more than a spike so you should still be happy if it does turn out to be a root!

[Olive Cook]

oh, I'll be happy either way, it just doesn't look like a root to me, but time will tell

[-k-]

Yeah, it's a bit difficult to tell yet, but preliminarily speaking if I were to have a crack at it I’d say root… Maybe after another week it will reveal it’s true identity!

[LouisW]

What happened to that plant? It looks like all the healthy roots were cut off.

[Olive Cook]

Originally Posted by LouisW

What happened to that plant? It looks like all the healthy roots were cut off.

um, no. I cut the roots down TO the healthy part; everything past that was brown and hollow.

[mytwogirls]

My phals have all spiked on the same side, they have not alternated sides. I don't know if it is spike or not, but just to let ya know, they can spike on the same side. Good luck!

[Olive Cook]

this plant has had two spikes, on both sides...It is one of these, the one in the back of the pot...it had two spikes when I bought it.