Phalaenopsis flower stem shriveled!! Help!

[jjgraphix]

I have a thriving Phalaenopsis orchid that has been with me for the last two years. It blooms several times a year and has always appeared happy and healthy. I recently realized while I was repottingthat the grower had actually stuck two plants into one pot. I serparated them, and since then they have grown even larger on their own. Both of the orchids are producing new flower stems which are growing quite well. However, I just noticed last night that one of the stems appears pinched in just one area, and it seems to be stunting its growth. It is an obvious weak spot that has been created, but I have no idea why it happened - this is a new one for me. Can anyone shed some light on this?

[janet_a]

sounds like it got kinked somehow; just splint it and see what happens. if there's a node below the kink, it might branch for you. can you post a pic?

[jjgraphix]

There actually looks like there is a node right below where it is kinked - I do have it splinted - do you think it will snap out of it though and get taller, or am I just going to have to rely on the node? I don't have a pic, but I will try and get one.

[janet_a]

mebbe. mebbe not. i'd just leave it be and see what happens; if there's enough tissue left in the kink, it should be able to get moisture further up and keep growing the spike. if it starts to go yellow or brown, then you may as well cut it.

[winky]

I have had this happen two years running on a Phaleanopsis that was grown from a kiki on a larger plant. I can't explain it either but have put it down to the plant being too young or too stressed to sustain a flower stem.

[jjgraphix]

The horrible news is that the other flower stem that is growing now has begun to shrivel as well... I am thinking that you could be right about being too stressed - I had to separate it from another and repot due to its huge size, not long after repotting it was already shooting up two flower stems. Any other thoughts or what I may be able to do to save the stems would be much appreciated.