I need help with what to do with my orchid. What i thought was a start of a spike, didnt turn out to be shooting straight up.

Any thoughts as to what it could be?

Sorry for the delay... This is Scott. I've been out all week with the flu. YES! That is a bloom spike.. although for some reason, it appears that it was restricted in some way.. and has coiled around.

At this stage the spike is VERY FRAGILE and can be broken easily (which means no blooms if it is broken). I would VERY CAREFULLY try and get the growing edge to point in a clear direction. DO NOT attempt to uncoil the flower spike as that would surely break it.

Sometimes spikes can do this if they are restricted or hit something such as a side of a pot where the plant it buried too deeply, a window, other plant pot, etc. There MAY be other reasons for this one curling, however, including genetic or tempterature that I am not fully familiar with.

The spike, even if coiled like this, if it can be encouraged to grow FIRST OUT then will follow the light up SHOULD still produce a full group of flowers as long as the growing tips aren't damaged.

Good luck!

Sometimes I find plants like this that are wedged too close together without enough light...

Thank you for the reply.

I've been very patient as much as excited about this bloom. I've noticed that the tip has slowly come out and yet still attached to what looks like another spike. My parents grew orchids in Manila and have never seen this. Like what you suggested, point the orchid toasted sunlight and watch it carefully as it grows further out and maybe just maybe, snap the tip and allow it to uncoil.

Will post pictures of it's progress.

Perhaps this is what happened to your plant, but at an earlier stage?
Any suggestions short of surgery?

Providing an you-tube link for better Orchid care:

Visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TcUpOm5Gds