Weird growths from old spikes

[stacey8989]

It seems like I'm the only one asking questions in here, BUT I have more!

This phal just finished flowering, but it looks like something is growing from the tip of the spike, so I didn't cut it off. Will this turn into more flowers?


This is my room mate's plant. The spike hasn't had flowers in quite awhile, but since it's not my plant, I let it be. Now there are red things growing out of 2 of the nodes. It also has leaves growing out of the nodes below. Any ideas as to what's going on here?

[terenh]

The top picture are new flower buds. The second picture looks like new spikes or keikis. Take a closer picture? Congrats though! They look strong and healthy.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

The top picture are new flower buds. The second picture looks like new spikes or keikis. Take a closer picture? Congrats though! They look strong and healthy.

I agree completely with the top picture being flower buds. The second one does sound like spikes or keikis, but like terenh requested, we need a closer pic. Personally, I would remove both spikes and let the plant grow. I don't really like the look of a bloom spike that has lost its blooms and then kept going. The blooms are usually smaller and weird out on the end of the spike. JMHO. Best of luck and don't worry about asking questions. Your question will help countless others with the same thoughts or issues. Ask away and have fun. We all learn to grow better by helping each other! That is why OrchidTalk is here!

Cheers,
BD

[JoeW]

"Your question will help countless others with the same thoughts or issues."

Very true.

[Orchidzrule]

As Bruce said, flowers from a second blooming on a spike are often smaller; they are also likely to be far less numerous, too. My intellectual side agrees with Bruce's suggestion of cutting the spikes. Theoretically, at least, the removal of a spike allows the plant to concentrate its resources on caring for itself, and thus have a better spike than it would have if it had to support the second blooming. I confess, though, my emotional side finds it really, really, really hard to cut off any spike that isn't actually dead & dried up!

Cheers,

Rob

[stacey8989]

Yes, your suggestions to cut the spike make sense, but the newbie side of me is so excited I don't want to cut it. In reality, wtih the 40 degree temps, the buds will probably blast. Unusual cold spell here in LA. I'll try to get a better picture of the red things later tonight.

[Becky15349]

to what BD said - there is a very good chance that leaving these spikes on will actually kill your plant....I'm speaking from experience. I lost a beautiful dtps. queen beer because I was selfish about it and didn't remove the spikes. Best to remove the spikes, IMHO.

[stacey8989]

Ok, you convinced me to cut 2 of the spikes since I don't want to kill the plants over 2-3 flowers.
Here's the close up of the other spike that I have not cut yet.