What is a terminal leaf?

[SShide77]

Is there such a thing as a terminal leaf on a phal?

Several of my phals seem to be growing new leaves, which is great! I thought I had read something somewhere about terminal leaves---and if i have, how do you tell a terminal leaf from just a new, healthy leaf?

I also figured if 3 of my phals are growing new leaves, they are probably just in their growing season, rather than all three sprouting terminal leaves.

Also---how long does it take for a flower spike to mature? I have two on a mini phal that I got back in march---and they don't seem to getting much bigger, but at the same time the plant is also growing a new leaf. Does the length of time for spike growth depend on environment? What can I do to encourage them?

-Sarah

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by SShide77

Is there such a thing as a terminal leaf on a phal?

No.

Originally Posted by SShide77

I thought I had read something somewhere about terminal leaves---and if i have, how do you tell a terminal leaf from just a new, healthy leaf?

You probably have seen the term "terminal leaf" mentioned from time to time. Put simply, a terminal leaf is literally a "leaf at the end." It might be the leaf at the end of a cane or pseudobulb.

To explain in a little more detail, there are 2 basic types of growth habit in orchids: 1) monopodial and 2) sympodial. Monopodial orchids continually grow from one central point producing one new leaf after another from the same centre point or "crown". Monopodial orchids include Phals, Vandas, Sarcochilus, and several others. Monopodials never have a terminal leaf. Sympodial orchids grow one complete growth after another from "eyes" or "leads" at the base of the plant. Each growth sprouts form the base, grows and matures/flowers, and then stops, growing no further. Any new growth will then come afresh from the base again. Sympodial orchids include Cattleyas, Dendrobums, Paphs & Phrags, most Oncidums, and several others. Sympodial orchids have fromone to many leaves. The last leaf on the cane (as with a Dendrobium) or pseudobulb (as with a Cattleya) is the terminal leaf. Sometimes you can have more than one terminal leaf. Some Cattleyas are what we call "bifoliate", literally "2 leaves" and they have 2 terminal leaves at the top of each pseudobulb.

Originally Posted by SShide77

I also figured if 3 of my phals are growing new leaves, they are probably just in their growing season, rather than all three sprouting terminal leaves.

That's probably correct, though Phals don't really have a growing season. They can grow new leave at just about any time, even while flowering.

Originally Posted by SShide77

Also---how long does it take for a flower spike to mature? I have two on a mini phal that I got back in march---and they don't seem to getting much bigger, but at the same time the plant is also growing a new leaf.

It differs form orchid to orchid, even from Phal to Phal, but generally for the typical hybrid Phal, several weeks, possibly as much as 3 months or so from the first appearance of the spike to flowers.

Originally Posted by SShide77

Does the length of time for spike growth depend on environment?

Yes it does.

Originally Posted by SShide77

What can I do to encourage them?

Give then good culture. If you haven't already done so, get a culture sheet on Phals form the American orchid Society website: AOS | Home or look at the one on this forum. After you've read them let us know if you have any questions. We have lots of eager orchid geeks here happy to help.

It's worth mentioning that with orchid growing and flowering, patience isnt' just a virtue, it's a requirement as some orchids take their own sweet time to bloom. Also faster isn't necessarily better when flowering orchids. For example, my Cymbidiums are in bud now (well some of them at least), and the cooler it stays, the longer it takes for them to flower, but the better (bigger, better colour) the flowers will be and thelonger they will last.

[SShide77]

So, terminal leaves arent a bad thing? Do they indicate the end of the plants life?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by SShide77

So, terminal leaves aren't a bad thing? Do they indicate the end of the plants life?

Oh no, they're not a bad thing at all. Every sympodial orchid has them. The term "terminal leaf" is just a descriptive term, indicating its location on the growth. It does not, in this instance, mean "resulting in death."

[mayres]

Possibly you are getting the word "terminal" mixed up with verbiage that is commonly used with phals - "terminal spike" in the center (crown) of the plant? It happens when the growing part of the crown has died - a spike comes out of the center - but never again a leaf. The plant WILL die unless you are fortunate enough to get a basal keiki (with its new crown) or potentially a keiki on the new central spike.