Keiki or Not? - Orchid Board

BikerDoc5968 · #1 06-17-2008, 11:01 AM

This is a phal that has crown rot. I thought I'd give my Keiki Grow Plus a second chance at growing keikis...after all that's what it is supposed to do...right???

In the past about the only result I got was a new spike. I waited for weeks sometimes after the last flower opened and still all I got was spikes....thankful for that but not the intended result! So here I am again trying to save this little guy with potential keiki and this is how I'm rewarded....one of the pics is probably going on to become a spike. What do you guys and gals think about the others?????

Phyrex · #2 06-17-2008, 11:28 AM

Hopefully one of them will be a keiki. I have trouble deciding at this point in time though.

jkofferdahl · #3 06-17-2008, 11:34 AM

The one in the last 2 pics looks most likely. I hope it works! I've had great luck with KeikiGrow.

BikerDoc5968 · #4 06-17-2008, 11:39 AM

So JK, what is your procedure for using this stuff....I followed the enclosed instructions to a "T" and about all I've ever gotten was spikes!

Dorothy · #5 06-17-2008, 12:13 PM

They are 'nubbins'

Rejoice in their nubbiness for they will evolve ..
into what .. well, I guess we shall see ..

Bird Song Farm · #6 06-17-2008, 01:02 PM

I think you have at least two keikis there. Time will tell tho.
AL

jkofferdahl · #7 06-17-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

So JK, what is your procedure for using this stuff....I followed the enclosed instructions to a "T" and about all I've ever gotten was spikes!

I always just followed the directions - peel back the sheath then smear the goo on. Also, I fertilize a bit more heavily at first then normal to see if the extra fertilizer can interrupt the spike development in favor of leaf development, though I have no idea if that makes any difference.

- John

BikerDoc5968 · #8 06-17-2008, 01:29 PM

Good point, JK, on the food thing...who knows whether the higher nitrogen really promotes vegetive growth over flower power.....

camille1585 · #9 06-17-2008, 03:21 PM

I think light may also have something to do with it. I read that somewhere not long ago. High light levels would tend to encourage spikes, and low light levels keikis. It seems odd, but I think it's what happened with one of my phal's. After I moved to the Netherlands for school in september it was is a badly lit corner for over 2 months and made 3 keikis. Then I got a plant light and 2 other nubbins became spikes. It could be a coincidence, but I think it may be proving the light theory right!

Ross · #10 06-17-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

I think light may also have something to do with it. I read that somewhere not long ago. High light levels would tend to encourage spikes, and low light levels keikis. It seems odd, but I think it's what happened with one of my phal's. After I moved to the Netherlands for school in september it was is a badly lit corner for over 2 months and made 3 keikis. Then I got a plant light and 2 other nubbins became spikes. It could be a coincidence, but I think it may be proving the light theory right!

Camille, think this might be true about Dendrobiums as well? Could not enough light account for Dendrobiums wanting to Keiki rather than flower?