It's a flower spike, but it's stuck in there! If you're very gentle, you can free the top from the sheath. Do NOT worry about straightening the flower spike, it will continue to grow and straighten out once it's free. But try to release it from inside the leaf. I had to do this for three spikes on a tiny oncidium I have. I was able to do it without tearing the leaf, but sometimes there's no choice if you want the spike to keep growing.

Good luck!

Wow, they're stunning! Congrats, and I hope this is the beginning of regular blooming for your plant! I think I need to pick out one of these beauties. The flowers are just beautiful.

They are! And the fragrance is very strong but pretty. I can smell them across the room.

Do you do anything special for them? I just got one left over from work. I read they need cooler temperatures, so I'm not sure if my house will be cool enough especially in the summer. I'm assuming you can't leave it outside during the summer. I'm in Georgia.

I am in Utah and I've kept it in the window but no direct sunlight. During this summer it has been super hot and I've probably had the thermostat at 77 or 78 when I'm gone during the day. In the evening it is few degrees cooler in my apartment. I don't know if that helps at all. I have no idea really what the temp may have been right by the window but there is a vent close so maybe the same. I would not put them outside, I don't think. I just recently brought it to my office so I can enjoy it more hours during the day. It is always cold in there, so it will be interesting to see how it does. I'm new to this plant so I can't be too much help I think. I do worry about the dryness here and wonder if I need to take steps to give it more humidity. But right now it seems happy so I'm happy, too.

Good to know.