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Terminal spike question

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself' started by Susan D, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. Aug 17, 2021 #1
    Susan D

    Susan D New Member

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    Hell there to all. I’m new to orchid life, 6 months. I’ve learned much on the net and I have been super successful and all 5 of my orchids are blooming, growing new leaves and have very good root structure.

    That being said, one of my phals is growing a terminal spike. I’m not sure what happened or what to do. If anyone has any suggestions I would be grateful.
     

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  2. Aug 17, 2021 #2
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Susan, welcome to the forum.

    There are others on the site that can answer your question better than I. However, I can say that the one time that I had a Phal. with a terminal spike it did not result in the death of the plant. Others say that the plant does this when dying. I think it is more of a random defect. Your plant looks very healthy.
     
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  3. Aug 17, 2021 #3
    J E

    J E Jaime Escobedo

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    Yes, if the plant is healthy this usually means it's about to send out basal growths "keikis". To continue the plants life, similar to how bromeliads grow. The plant itself isn't dying, more propagating/renewing. The main stem probably won't die for a while either, just stop growing and eventually senescence (slowly die naturally to support newer tissues). Again this is based on the idea the plant is perfectly healthy and just growing, this is just the most possible outcome. I think monopodials at some point produce offshoots as a part of their normal growth, it's normal and increases the amount of biomass so if it does happen just leave them to form a "clump". Multiple growing pointe mean less chance of dying and more potential nodes for growth=flowers. If it's a recent purchase this could be a result from the plant still recovering and resetting it's natural growth after suppliers force bloom them. If you want to encourage/devote more energy to whatever it's doing, you could cut all the spikes (you could wait til you see the flowers but maybe not leave them they're entire lifespan since phals last forever). Good luck keep us updated