On Tue, 26 Apr 2005 18:56:43 GMT, da wrote:

The good news first: while watering and feeding my plant today I
noticed my hardware store phal is growing another new leaf (that's the
second since I've owned it), the blossoms are still on and looking
good (they started blooming before Christmas), the new branch (yes I
know that's the wrong term) is slowly getting bigger and it looks like
I'm getting my first new spike -- either that or the plant is
developing some sort of strange tumour/growth. The spike can best be
described as a conical (almost cylindrical) half-centimetre growth
originating from the point where the lowest leaf joins the main
stem/spike.

Now to the questions:

1. Is it a bad sign that my last new leaf has started to split? The
leaf is about four-inches long and it is has about a half centimetre
split that runs lengthwise along the centre of the leaf. Where it has
split the colour has turned from green to beige/light brown.

2. The plant is in a growing medium (the stuff that looks like regular
soil to my untrained eye but I'm assuming that's not what it is) and a
top layer of moss of the brown variety. Sorry for not being able to
provide specifics. Lately I've been noticing that the moss is turning
green and it looks like it is trying to grow. Should I be worried
about that? Whenever I've seen it, I've carefully picked the green
bits out and tossed them in the garbage, but I see today that it has
started to happen again. Should I keep "pruning" it or should I leave
it alone?

Now I really don't want to repot this plant because it seems to be
generally healthy, it is still growing, and because I really don't
know what I'm doing. This is all still very new to me, and since I'm
trying to prevent this orchid thing from becoming an obsession, I'm
trying not to overdose on research -- which is a trap into which I
could easily stumble. I just want to keep my phal alive and healthy
for as long as possible without taking heroic measures.
--Vic


Congratulations, 2 leaves are great. As well as a good long
bloom cycle. Since it is growing leaves you do not have to worry
much about the health of the plant. It would not be able to grow
leaves while it is blooming if it were being stressed by such an
extended bloom cycle. Good News.

The spike can best be
described as a conical (almost cylindrical) half-centimetre growth
originating from the point where the lowest leaf joins the main
stem/spike.

This sounds as if it could be a new aerial root rather than a new
inflorescence. That is good news too. Phals like aerial roots
as well as roots in the pot. And growing new leaves and new
roots are all healthy happy signs.

Now - as to the split -- I will let one of the phal experts
expound on it. I would guess the humidity is low. But I am not
sure of the causes.

Good growing.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php