I'm no expert, but be patient. One of mine (the first reblooming orchid for me) spiked and it took several weeks for it to grow and have the blooms ready to open. I think of it as, the blooms last a long time so naturally it'll take longer for them to mature to blooming stage.

I guess what I mean is, the spike itself is small like a miniature phal. The phal next to it I am using as a comparison has a much thicker spike and it is maybe three days older than the small one.

Oh, hopefully someone who knows orchids better than I can give you an answer than. I didn't realize they are just days difference. I'll be interested in hearing myself.

It takes about 110 days from when the spike appears till the first bloom opens.

It's more a manner of scale that I am confused with. The spike is the size of my mini phal spikes, not the full, large size phals I own. This spike is almost the same age as the other spike featured in the photos.

I will take a wild guess and suggest both plants are not getting enough light. The leaves appear very dark green. If getting enough light they should be lighter.

A new spike should be heading toward the light source.

Are you fertilizing? This would be the time to give your orchids a regular weak fertilizer with each watering.

Try moving your Phals to higher light.

You don't give any info about where in the world you live. Certainly helpful for getting help. You need to tell us how you are growing your plants. What is the light (window, lamps, outdoors)? How often are you watering? Are you fertilizing?

Please post back and fill in the missing information.

Jane

I am not fertilizing because I have yet to figure out the intricacies of it. Any recommendations?

I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Very hot summers, mild winters. The average for the past few weeks has been high 70's, low 80's, but we expect triple digit days by July. All of my orchids that aren't in bloom are in the "nursery," which is a room with two skylights facing the north. I don't currently have any growing lamps set up, but my husband and I just moved into this house so we are still getting everything situated how we want it. I water the phals when the substrate is dried out almost completely.

I have been moving all over the place for the past three years (Norman, OK to Huntington, WV to Tulsa, OK, to Beltsville, MD back to Tulsa) and I have brought the orchids on most of these trips. The thing that is perplexing about this particular orchid is that I have been growing a lot of phals with it and those have spiked regularly each year, but this one has only produced this one spike. If something was systemically wrong with the growing conditions, wouldn't all of the orchids be suffering?

There are different kinds of phals, and they don't all bloom on the same kinds of spikes. Spike size, spike length, flower size, bloom orientation ... these are all variables that are beyond the control of your care. I've got one that always has a two-foot long spike (long flat leaves), another like yours above (but with smaller, rounded leaves) that produces giant white blooms on a little thin spike close to the plant ... and a few more in between! Just part of the variety of nature! But I agree with others: a little more light once you're settled. :)

Okay, thank you everyone! I am currently shopping around for some growing lights and I will be moving some of my orchids outside for the rest of spring and summer. I appreciate the help!

That is so crazy! I have never seen a phal like that. This particular phal was one of those "clearance flowers" at Lowes, so I never saw a flower spike on it. It had really healthy leaves though, so I decided to give it a shot. I am excited to see if mine flowers just like this!

Jordan, start fertilizing. Use Miracle Gro if you have that handy. Fertilizer is not rocket science. The plant needs nutrition to foster the spike and new leaves. Its Spring! Time for growth. Buy whatever you can afford. Orchids are not fussy. They like to be fed as do all plants this time of year.

If your temps are warm, put the plants outdoors under a tree or some bright, shaded spot. Water when dry.

That spike needs to finish growing. Your other Phal needs to grow leaves and prepare for spiking when the temps drop in the fall. Phals like heat. Don't worry.

This is not complicated. You don't need lights. Put the plants outdoors and feed them lightly every watering. Use whatever you have.

Again, orchids (most) are not complicated.

Jane

Thank you so much, Jane! My husband and I are devising some sort of growing area for the backyard. I will keep you all updated on the "Here's my growing area" thread. I am sure I will have more questions about it, especially when the weather starts to cool back down. I'll also go get some fertilizer. I've been reading about the 20-20-20 weakly weekly regime. I'll get some of that and then some regular miracle gro.

Sounds great.

I feel more light will grow that spike and give the plants the energy they need.

Jane

Update on the unique phal: I put it outside and it is doing very well! Its spike is blooming and it is also growing a new leaf! Additionally, it has some new weird growths on it that I'm not sure are spikes or keikis. One is at the base and the other is at a leaf junction. Any ideas what these are?

Looks lovely. Good job!!

Jane

Thanks Jane! Can you see those new growths in the up close pics? Do you think they're anything interesting?

Jordan, it looks like a new growing space. I'd like to see a picture of it please...

I'm not seeing any new growths. Maybe you could take another picture?

All I'm seeing is the base of the leaves. Looks normal to me.

Jane

Additionally, it has some new weird growths on it that I'm not sure are spikes or keikis. One is at the base and the other is at a leaf junction. Any ideas what these are?

I'm not sure about your second close-up photo, but in your first one I believe the new growth (circled in orange) is a new root tip. Congrats :D

Oh yeah I can see that now. Thank you! I did get a new growing space, everyone. My husband made this for me!

The rounded tip says it's a new root ... as it gets "happier," it will start kicking out new roots from lower on the plant as well as between lower leaves. Just let it do its thing! I'm not quite sure what to make of the growth at the base of the plant: could be the remains of a dropped leaf, could be a keiki. I've never seen one like that, but that's not saying much. Time will tell!

(PS, the growing space is gorgeous! Lucky you!!)

Nice work! Lucky lady. Will you be able to use that space in the winter?

Thank you all! Unfortunately I'll have to move everyone back inside once it gets cold again but we have discussed closing the area off at some point. We will see..

It seems you have a willing husband...Good luck.