How to tell an Orchid flower spike from a root - Phalaenopsis

Since it is Phalaenopsis Orchids season, it's time to see some new flower spikes growing! but which is a flower spike and which is a root?
▼▼▼More info bellow!▼▼▼

First let us start with location. A flower spike will always appear from between the leaves, on the side of the orchid if you will. Usually it will be found under the second or third leaf from the top, as you count on one side. You will never see a spike starting from the front or back of the orchid.

Roots can appear from any location, front, back and sides. They will however not be produced on the highest sections of the orchid, the axis is not ready to produce roots and spikes at that level yet.

Spike are usually have a sharp tip and are narrow, while roots are rounder and thicker. Roots also tend to be more glossy than spikes, but this can be hard to tell without a strong light.

Spikes will develop a mitten shape at the top as they grow, while roots will keep a single tip. Usually spikes are produced in the colder season, but this is not always a rule, as Phalaenopsis hybrids can be off season and unpredictable.

If you are not sure yet give the orchid a few more days and the difference will be visible. The spike will usually grow upwards and towards the light source, while roots can be pretty wild in their growth and take multiple directions, no matter the light source.
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Show him some love!

[faeryegrrl]

I have a flower spike!!! It's the first grocery store phal I've rehabbed and it also gave me the confidence to have over 20 orchids of multiple different species. I'm so excited!!!

[renee]

YAY!! I have a flower spike!!! I thought I killed my new orchid but I watched your videos and did what you said (repotting the orchid and trimming the rotted roots off) and a week later I’m getting a new leaf AND a flower spike!!! YAY!!!! Thank you!!

[rosalindporter]

Hi Miss Orchid Girl. Thanks to your videos, I've managed to get my orchid to bloom again with 10 flower buds on one spike and 8 on the other. First bud opened up fully today - what a thrill for someone who definitely doesn't have green fingers! Many thanks!!!

[PattyOCallaghan-mvzt]

I’m not sure why a few people are confused with the video, I find it very informative and very clear.
There’s also nothing wrong with your voice, it sounds like you might have a slight accent, but I had to laugh a little when somebody told you to talk normal. I would imagine to you that is normal.
Like I said, I did get so much out of your videos, and I appreciate them. I’ve been the person that a lot of friends and relatives. Drop off their orchids after their blossoms fall because they don’t know what to do with them.
I am definitely no expert and don’t really even know what to do with them other than my experience over the years which is very minimal.
When I receive a plant, I will give it some love, a little food and water, and put it in my kitchen window that gets the morning sun. After a few months sometimes longer, I will see a blossom starting.
After its back with blossoms, and in all its glory, I will return it to the original owner with a few ideas of what I did.
With your videos, I now feel like I have more knowledge and I can do an even better job with my sad little drop off plants that need some love and attention. I guess thats something we all need in life not just the orchids.
So give love and attention to your plants and everyone around you, you will be surprised how much they will grow and how beautiful it will be.
When you see someone you love at the end of the day, give them some love, a glass of their fav liquid and tell them why they are special to you, I bet it won’t take months for them to blossom. Lol

[jking]

Yay I have a flower spike! This orchid momma is happy

[you.will.knvv]

This helps a bit but whether its a root or flow spike, im okay with it. I've decided to take orchids from stores and care for them. So far I have 3 and I hope to keep growing them and caring for them. A simple new leaf or spike is such a compliment from them :>

[lisalee-lee]

New Sub here! 👋😄 I'm a first time Orchid Girl and I just love and truly appreciate your videos. You've helped me understand this somewhat odd & complicated, but beautiful plant. So far so good, just pruned her, have brand new healthy leaves, a baby spike showing promise and now we wait...🤞😅🌺🌺🌺🌺
Thank you so much for your super helpful instructional videos. 🤗

[rtldulin]

I just placed my first order. I hope I did it right from your site and you get credit. Thank you for your awesome videos.

[leovanrossen]

Thank you for your clear information on Orchids. I now have new branch coming out of the original stalk where the flowers were and a new branch coming out in-between the upper leaves as you've explained. Thanks again,
Stay well✨🙏✨

[Love-xnvs]

I love it, I am new to growing orchids, and I love them so much. Thank you for showing the flower spike versus the Roots. Also, can you say where you buy some of your orchids.

[Christianthegem]

Oh man! I thought I had flower spikes but they’re new roots smh LOL atleast I know the plant is healthy. It has been about 10.5-11 months since I was gifted the orchid (when it was in full bloom, SO: hoping to see some spikes and blooms soon ❤️)

[katiebautista]

Thank you! That was so sweet of you to help us tell the difference! 💜

[judebrown]

Very helpful thank you. I now know that the exciting new growth on the orchid I've so far managed to keep alive thanks to you is in fact a root. I'm so glad I found your channel, thank you. 👏

[cymbidiumm]

A few months ago I thought I had a spike on a phal that just started to yellow its current spike. That little nubbin stopped growing and then it took off again, but it was a root. Luckily it was accompanied by another root, which was nice to see since I had just changed the substrate to that one. Then later, just a couple of days ago, I discovered a completely differen nubbin on my other phal, a strong massive classic white phal. And it is shaped like a mitten, it is pointy, light green, definitely ressembles the one in your video. I'm so happy :)

[jenniferpowell]

Thank you for all these information, I find them to be very helpful and useful.

[ruthsalinas]

I’m even more confused after this video 😭

[gaelallegra]

The video of the spike is not visible enough to be able to tell the difference. It is not close enough or at the right angle to be able to see it properly.

[loveunlimited]

Thank you Danny. This has been very helpful. I'm a new orchid collector and I am learning so much from your videos 👍👍👍

[brendamcintyre]

Total disappointment. I have several orchids that I thought were spiking, but after watching this I now know they are new roots instead. Oh well, I will be encouraged in knowing that at least I have new roots. This is good news because some of these plants I rescued from the clearance rack at the hardware store where they were almost dead. Thanks for another great video!!

[teresaparry]

I’ve had 2 or 3 orchids before that eventually died. No new flowers or leaves. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong until I watched one of your videos on how to water them (I didn’t have one to test it on at the time). Now I have one that is growing new leaves and I thought a new flower, but it is clear from this video that it is definitely a root. That’s still good though, right? If it’s growing new roots it must be happy to live? I’m so excited to see a new flower but I’m not sure how to encourage that. It’s over a year old now, might even be two 🤔 so I’m very happy 🤩. Thank you for sharing this advice and knowledge 🥰🙏🥰