Bizarre Phal ? Or not?

[jenn]

I am hoping someone here has seen this before. I haven't...I know that's not saying alot, but I have never seen this. I have seen Phals put two leaves out at the same time before, which later grew to normal large healthy leaves, but this? This is my new (just got it in the mail yesterday) Phal. chibae

Please let me know if this is a sign of something I need to contact the grower about:

[iscarus]

Did you check the roots of the plant? Looks like the plant was under stressed for a while, stalled and started growing again with the smaller leaves and now each new leaf should be slightly bigger than each old ones.

[Diane]

I'd check with the grower to ask about growth habits of this particular plant. Looks odd, but still healthy.

[jenn]

Iscarus, When I saw it I took it out and repotted it. The root system was small, but nothing outrageous. Stress on the plant did cross my mind, but something like this seems strange, even for stress but you never know I guess.

Diane, This is a small Phal when mature and it's growth habits should be "normal" but in life, what is normal I think I will email him...Thanks

[Tanya]

I'm thinking about stress too. Looks like its going to be OK though.

[jenn]

Thanks guys!

[Phalphanatic]

The issue here is that this plant was probably imported. The stress from the importation process and reestablishing can cause a stunt in growth of new leaves. In any situation where Phals are overly stresseds, they try to continue to grow and attempt to save themselves by producing stunted growth. A second possibility is issues with inadequate or damaged roots. This can occur from over watering that had killed roots or secondary damage from chemical burns to the roots. Check the roots and make certain they are growing healthy. Just my thoughts from experiencing this.

[Jmoney]

I wonder if that might be a keiki from the crown. if it is, the main plant has lost its growing tip but you might as well keep the whole thing attached since the keiki would be getting nutrition from the mother plant.

[Diane]

I agree with Jmoney - now that I look at the photos again, they look an awful lot like my phal that has developed a "keiki of death". It started out looking like stunted leaves, then after about 2 months tiny roots started. Common knowledge says the main plant will eventually die... , but until the keiki's roots get bigger there is not much I can do, except wait. Fraid that's mostly what you will have to do - after checking roots, the waiting game begins.

[jenn]

OH NO!!!!!!! I guess I will have to wait and see. I repotted it in S/H and that little leaf in the middle got a little bigger, but not much. I will keep you posted. Nothing like finally getting a plant you really want only to find it a ???????????

Thanks guys...