What is happening here? Phalaenopsis mystery growth

It does look like a terminal spike, but that does not necessarily mean that it is a goner.

 

I've never heard of Phalaenopsis producing terminal spikes, but maybe I'm just daft. Maybe the plant is growing leggy because it isn't getting enough light.

 

Terminal spikes happen in phalaenopsis from time to time, and as was mentioned, it doesn't have to be fatal. Keep giving it good culture, and they often form basal growths that carry on normally.

 

That's very interesting. I have never heard of terminal spikes in phals or monopodials in general. Hopefully it sends out basal growths. I always love the look of a plant with lots of basal growths but none of mine seem to do that. Does anyone have any experience with promoting basal keikis or is it just genetically determined or a result of good culture (or bad culture in the case of crown rot)? How about using keiki paste?

 

I have had a couple of phals produce terminal buds like this. In both cases I ended up with plants with multiple basal keikis without any intervention by me. They looked odd for a bit but are now producing more spikes than before. I hope yours does the same.

 

Some of these comments make me smile, as phalaenopsis is the ONLY plant I have ever seem producing terminal spikes!

While that can sometimes result in death of the plant, like Daethen, it doesn't have to, and more often than not, if the plant dies, it's because the grower failed to treat the plant normally.

The "basal keikies" should do fine, but, sharing the same root system as the "mother" plant, are less likely to be able to be removed and potted separately, like those forming on inflorescences. Not that that's 100% the case, just likely.

 

Ray, you ever see Oncidinae or other psuedo bulbous (Zygos) bloom from the apex of the bulb? I mean that's sort apical(terminal) meristem.

 

I agree it's a terminal spike. Not really related to the age of the plant - I have seen huge old Phals that are not producing terminal spikes. The plant may very well grow some basal keikis and continue on in that way.

 

View attachment 32789 View attachment 32789 I have a Timothy Christopher that has done the same thing. I hope I don't lose it this thing blooms like none other...