my one leaf wonder

[retroresale]

This is the little orchid that could. I cut off the flower spike shortly after the leaf fell off so it could put more energy into producing a new leaf. Well, I guess it has other plans because it re-spiked.

[syndywindy]

What do the roots look like on your phal? The pot looks awfully large for the plant. Sometimes a phal will grow a spike in an effort to stay alive. Not saying that is the case for yours, but just wondering how the roots are.

[dounoharm]

amazing the will to survive...it is trying to reproduce, thinking that the main plant is in danger of dying,....dont be surprised to find a keiki, either basal or on the flower stem.....as synda suggested, a smaller pot would be healthier,....

[retroresale]

It actually has tons of roots, it's in a little snack sized tupperware bowl It's a little mini phal. It was a twin that I repotted from one I had bought potted together. The other one has tons of leaves. I also wondered if it was trying to send out a keiki. It's a determined little guy.

[retroresale]

Here is a better pic for size reference. Those are 4" pots behind it.

[julieb]

you know I have heard so many times that a Phal is the easiest orchid to grow but for me its the hardest one to grow. I have had dozens of all kinds and i seems like the easiest s the catilea I am not sure i I spelled this correctly but you get the idea...also I love the orchid pots for them they can breath better but I have had so many phals. just die on me no matter what size or what kind of pot so I just stay away from those right now I am looking for the well the old timey name my granny called it was the laddies slipper but I can not find them around where I live I suppose on line will be my best bet but I like to buy mine in bloom so I can see what I am getting and not have to wait 5 or 6 years to see if it blooms. and I don't want to order a plant and it be the size of a small tomatoe .

[retroresale]

You can find Pahpiopedilum orchids online, I've never seen them in any stores where I live. I have one. The care is very similar to phals as far as I have experienced.

[cable]

One of my first orchids was a Doritaenopsis that seemed determined to kill itself: it would keep sending flower spikes right through its leaves, making so many roots they pushed all the leaves off the stem, and otherwise making suicide attempts. But I found it to be a tough little plant that seems to know how much abuse it can handle, so I stopped worrying . Your plant probably has the same crazy personality as mine .