How to Identify Orchid Flower Spikes & Roots // Phalaenopsis Care for Beginners

Sometimes it can be difficult differentiating a new flower spike from a new root on Phalaenopsis orchids when they first emerge. I LOVE the joy of finding new spikes and since I have LOTS of Phalaenopsis spikes emerging currently, I thought it was a good opportunity to take an in-depth looks at spikes vs roots for beginner orchid growers.

Admittedly they still sometimes trick me too... but over time the little growths always declare their true identities. Despite this, I still love hunting and guessing. So we are getting up close and personal with all my newly emerging phal growths in this video.

If you'd like some care tips for beginners check out these videos:
& Older Phalaenopsis series:
Hopefully this little series of videos on phalaenopsis orchid care will help other beginner orchid growers.
# 1: How to cut your flower spike
# 2: General Phalaenopsis care and repotting tips
# 3: Phalaenopsis growth cycle and inducing new bloom spikes

#OrchieDee #phalaenopsisorchidcare
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[elizabethsodahl]

Finally …how to tell the difference between a spike and a root. Thank you so much.

[glendasorchids]

As a beginner at growing orchids, I found your video very helpful. Thanks.

[jeannettemiley]

This was the most helpful video EVER!! Thank you for clarifying it; I’ve been so confused on how to tell for sure! You can test me now thanks to your awesome video 😃

Also I love the accent! I know it’s just how you speak normally to you but to us foreigners it’s a delight to hear 👂 🎶 😊

[laurigardner-rhodes]

I watched a bunch of videos recommended by Google and this is by far the best explanation I have found yet. Thanks for the great info!!!

[MariaBeylo]

Finally an amazing video to help me become an Orchid Enthusiast!!
BTW, I just took a minute and released the long root that I was hoping was a spike.
I am looking forward to listening to all of your videos!
Many thanks and sending positive loving energy to you!

[Belongtonoone]

This was super helpful, I was hopeful my orchid was having a baby stem and from what you've shown I think it is a spike not a root 🥳 and the flowering will depend on when/where it was bought and then it getting used to its new home makes so much sense, I was given mine in October last year and its just finished the second flowering earlier this week ❤

[tranvansonnhatrang]

Your orchids are very beautiful and healthy. Thank you for watching. Wish you happy.💕💌✅🤝👍

[wandashaw]

Great information. I've been growing Phals for over three years now and I still have to double check! Happy Growing🌿🌱🌷🐝🐞

[bakecookandcreate]

Thank you! Easy pleasant listening voice and content very informative. Although i feel very disappointed that what i thought were spikes are just roots after watching and learning from your video, I am happy that they are healthy and I'll be keeping an eye out for that elusive spikes! 😁

[orchidelirium]

Love this. Even when you’ve been growing for a while it can still be a struggle figuring out what is what. Coupled with the hope for a spike and how long it takes for them to be in an “obvious” state we growers can be left scratching our heads. 🤣

[caraw]

This was so helpful. Thank you from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada!

[colleenmcdonnell]

Thank you for the great video. I have one phal with new growth that hasn’t bloomed in a long time, so I am hopeful that it’s a spike. I wanted to comment on your statement regarding when to water. It was my understanding that orchid roots grown in clear pots are green because they are exposed to light and air, contain chlorophyll and photosynthesize. White roots would not necessarily indicate the need to water, dry medium might be a better way to tell if a plant needs water. I have heard other people make that statement but I’m not sure it’s 100% accurate. Otherwise, the video was really helpful, thank you.

[noahokin]

You’re really hitting us with the doctor words today anterior, lateral, nubbin 😉😂 Very helpful video btw!

[PaNdeMniuM]

Very informative.
I always have trouble differentiating between flower spikes vs new growths vs roots

[lindamesinar]

Thank you from Las Vegas, Nevada! I have never removed keikis or transplanted my orchids but need to now, so I watched your wonderful video and now although I am still nervous, I’ll give it a try. Your video was perfect, the sound and camera angles. So much good info to help me along. My plants were gifts, one from my grandchildren 8 or 9 years ago and now which has bloomed every year and sometimes twice a year but now is falling over and growing downhill. The other orchid has two keikis with lots of roots everywhere so I think they need a new hone. Wish me luck. I don’t have all the supplies you recommend but I’ll try and acquire them eventually. Thank you for all this great help. Linda

[dianacloud]

Thank you so much for the teaching of my hobby. Very very good learning skills right there I appreciate that.

[kathieratcliff]

Fantastic! Still looking for a video on where exactly to cut flower stem once finished blooming. At node? I need photo of said node! Lol

[NinjaOrchids]

Lots of color on its way! 🤩 hope you and everyone close to you are doing well 😃💐

[conniechan]

Thanks for sharing how to tell the difference between root and spike.

[juliethreyes]

Phals can and do reflower from the same stems (kinda). I recommend when blooms fall (while stem is still green) to cut above the 3 node. The orchid will take time to rest but usually within 1-3 months you will see a new growth from the top node that is branching off and will bloom and flower in it’s time 😊