I'd remove that spike so it will put it energy into putting on new growth instead of flowers. Allowing to continue to bloom like this could lead to it's decline and eventual death.

Thank you smwboxer part of me knows that would be a prudent thing to do, but its like saying I need to amputate your leg so you will live, ok I know thats alittle extreme:-) I will make myself do it. Deanna

If it doesn't grow a new leaf it might make a keiki on the spike. If the main plant doesn't make it, you'll have the baby plant.

Jane

jane ny do phals make keiki`s that way? I thought they sprouted from the base of the mother plant, I haven`t been serious about orchids for very long so I have no clue. Thanks Deanna

DO NOT leave the spike on in hopes of getting a keiki. Why kill the parent plant? The one leaf that is still there looks good so just cut off the spike and let it grow a new leaf.

On a similar note, I got a phal that was on sale because it was spent and the leaves were kind of wilted. That was at the end of spring. Since then it's grown a nice leaf... I moved it away from the rest so it wouldn't spike cause I figured I'd rather more growth and then the other day I found this... which looks like a spike? (although the green makes me think root?) anyways... if it does spike, I'm wondering if i should cut it. If so, when?
{{gwi:204677}}From Plants Etc

{{gwi:204678}}From Plants Etc

It's a spike. You could either let it progress or remove it to save the plant energy. A lot of the fantastic photos you see of Asian phals with tons of flowers are done that way. The plants are not allowed to bloom for years in order to put on plant size.

Phals make keiki's from the spike. Some will do this as a 'last ditch effort' when the mother plant is dying. Other's just do it. I had a Phal that would bloom and make keiki's at the same time. Offshoots from the base are possible. I can't tell from your photo, but it appears you lost the crown and have one lower leaf left. If you lost the inner crown, the plant might send an off-shoot (probably won't) or make a keiki from the spike.

Either way you have lost the mother plant if the crown is gone. Best to leave it and see what happens. But I would suggest you buy another Phal and enjoy growing a healthy plant.

Turtle, looks like your plant will spike. Your plant should recover.

Jane

But the crown has not been lost. It just has one leaf and with proper care, it will soon have two.

Ok this is fun, two opposing views I think thats where I started LOL! Is there a middle ground in this? The crown is still there, the roots are greening up but haven`t seen new ones yet, I know I might loose the plant either way, so its a learning process for me, anyone else like to chime in? turtle lover good save! Thanks:) Deanna

There is no middle ground, how can there be when people can only relate their experience in their particular set of growing conditions.

So, a guy with a lush glass-house set up to only grow phalaenopsis will tell you different things than i would with only limited success as a windowsill grower.

One species phalaenopsis that readily forms plantlets on flowering spikes is Phalaenopsis lueddemaniana. There may be other species that do this and the trait may be present in some hybrids depending on the ancestors.

For what it is worth. i think you should cut the flowering spike off any Phal. that is struggling.

My general rule of thumb with the "rehab" orchids in my house is to let the spike grow only if the new roots have established. I let the spikes stay if I feel the roots are healthy regardless of leaves, because I grow them for the blooms, even if they are not the most impressive specimens.

In fact, I have quite the situation of my own now with a rehab orchid which has one + a baby leaf and is growing another new leaf, a new spike AND a new root. Ack!

In your case, I'd say whack it. :: Keep the spike in a vase and maybe you can still enjoy the blooms that way.

Thanks all! I cut the spike and noticed that a small leaf is forming inside the crown, so now it can focus on roots and leaves and hopefully next year it will spike again. Deanna

Good luck Deanna. Sounds like it on it way to a great blooming next year.