Hi all: Someone tell me again how to tell the difference between a
root and a spike? This growth is on the base of the plant, is green,
coming straight out and yes it's pointed. Root right? I'm still
waiting to see what it'll become. It's a Phal. Thanks.....Burr

Indeed, it could be a root or a spike. Let's hope for a spike!

Burr,
Phal roots have a pointier sharper point, not as rounded as the tip of a
root. If there is any of the white shiny coating on it, it's a root. Spikes
are not shiny, and most of the time they are green (though in some Phals the
color may be different, more reddish for example, and the color of roots may
differ somewhat in different Phals as well). Once the spike is longer, it
will have nodes, whereas roots don't have those. In general roots and spikes
can come out of the same kind of location on the plant, and the direction
where they head does not differentiate them either. I can usually
differentiate spikes and roots correctly from very early on, so they do look
quite different to me. If you want, you can try to take a picture of this
spike or root and post it to abpo, and if it is a good enough photo maybe we
will be able to make educated guesses about which it is. Good luck!
Joanna

wrote in message
...
Hi all: Someone tell me again how to tell the difference between a
root and a spike? This growth is on the base of the plant, is green,
coming straight out and yes it's pointed. Root right? I'm still
waiting to see what it'll become. It's a Phal. Thanks.....Burr

Hey, Claude! Where have you been?

Diana

"Phalguy" wrote in message
...
here you go...

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/o...744032360.html

Claude

wrote in message
...
| Hi all: Someone tell me again how to tell the difference between a
| root and a spike? This growth is on the base of the plant, is green,
| coming straight out and yes it's pointed. Root right? I'm still
| waiting to see what it'll become. It's a Phal. Thanks.....Burr
|

Hello Diana !

Been busy ! In fact, I`ve been sick and busy. But feeling better now ...
like my Phals !

See you

Claude


"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
...
| Hey, Claude! Where have you been?
|
| Diana
|
| "Phalguy" wrote in message
| ...
| here you go...
|
| http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/o...744032360.html
|
| Claude
|
| wrote in message
| ...
| | Hi all: Someone tell me again how to tell the difference between a
| | root and a spike? This growth is on the base of the plant, is green,
| | coming straight out and yes it's pointed. Root right? I'm still
| | waiting to see what it'll become. It's a Phal. Thanks.....Burr
| |
|
|
|
|

I can usually tell sooner, but I don't know how to explain the little
differences that I see. But usually, by the time whichever-it-is is about
1/2" long, then if it's a root you should see some of the white velamen
forming. Kenni

wrote in message
...
Hi all: Someone tell me again how to tell the difference between a
root and a spike? This growth is on the base of the plant, is green,
coming straight out and yes it's pointed. Root right? I'm still
waiting to see what it'll become. It's a Phal. Thanks.....Burr

Thanks for all the replies-I tried google and I couldn't find
anything. Least I know if it turns out to be a root it means the plants
healthy. Thanks all.....Burr

J Fortuna wrote:
Burr,
............................................... In general roots and spikes
can come out of the same kind of location on the plant, and the direction
where they head does not differentiate them either......................

Hi Joanna,
Tell me if you agree with this, or if you have seen a clear exception to
this "rule":
Spikes form on the trunk in a position parallel to the leaves on one
side or the other. A new growth in that position can still be either
spike or root but something new growing in a different position around
the trunk has to be a root.

Steve

Steve,
I think you have a point the Phal spikes grow under or in between leaves
or if one is unlucky then in the middle of the crown. Roots can grow
anywhere though.
Joanna

"Steve" wrote in message
...
J Fortuna wrote:
Burr,
...............................................I n general roots and spikes
can come out of the same kind of location on the plant, and the direction
where they head does not differentiate them either......................

Hi Joanna,
Tell me if you agree with this, or if you have seen a clear exception to
this "rule":
Spikes form on the trunk in a position parallel to the leaves on one side
or the other. A new growth in that position can still be either spike or
root but something new growing in a different position around the trunk
has to be a root.

Steve

Joanna

Why is it a problem?
or if one is unlucky then in the middle of the crown


Jack

Jack wrote:
Joanna

Why is it a problem?

or if one is unlucky then in the middle of the crown



Jack

Jack,
It's a problem because if a Phal flowers from the center, no more leaves
will grow from there. For the plant to go on, it needs to start a new
crown by making a side growth.
At worst, the plant can die. At best, the plant looks bad for a long time.

Steve

Oh.ok

Thanks

Jack

Don't ask me for a specific example, because my memory's just not that good.
But I have seen a VERY few exceptions [remember, I see HUNDREDS of Phal
spikes each season] and it seems to me that they were among the "oddball"
novelty types. For the most part, however, I think you have come up with a
good "rule of thumb." Kenni

"Steve" wrote in message
...
J Fortuna wrote:
Burr,
...............................................I n general roots and spikes
can come out of the same kind of location on the plant, and the direction
where they head does not differentiate them either......................

Hi Joanna,
Tell me if you agree with this, or if you have seen a clear exception to
this "rule":
Spikes form on the trunk in a position parallel to the leaves on one side
or the other. A new growth in that position can still be either spike or
root but something new growing in a different position around the trunk
has to be a root.

Steve