Cart Before the Horse

[BikerDoc5968]

There have been a couple of threads recently addressing the use of keiki hormones/chemicals. I use the lanolin based hormone KeikiGrow Plus and have had mixed results, so I thought I share some of my progress to date.

This one doesn't know whether to grow roots 1st or leaves....



This is another keiki growing on the same plant as above



This is a plant that has crown rot and I am soooo thrilled to see this attempt successful



In fact it is growing keikis even in places where no hormone was applied as you can see in the circled areas

[camille1585]

That's A LOT of keikis!! The one in the second pic looks kind of gross with all those nubbins poking out. I don't know if it's the effects of the keikigrow or just the plants, but the keikis on my phals (that occur naturally) never look anything like that.
Do you keep all the keikis that grow, or take some off the plant? I've been hesitant to leave more than one keiki on a plant, being too afraid of putting a huge strain on the mother plant.

[BikerDoc5968]

So far I've used the paste to save an otherwise dead plant because of crown rot. When the keiki is ready with long enough roots to be on its own, I remove them and leave nothing on the old plant.

[Sandy4453]

This is fantastic. How long before they're mature enough to separate? Once you remove all the kiekis, will you continue feeding the mother plant? Also, do you ever use the paste on otherwise, healthy plants?

[BikerDoc5968]

Even in my GH with good humidity and warm temps, it takes a long time to grow roots that are 2" to 3" so I know the keiki will grow. Since we are into the "flower" season, I don't expect much in the way of root developement until spring. I also don't remove them unitl early spring when they normally would be entering a vegetive growth phase. As for the parent plant, it depends on its condition. If it looks pretty beat up then no but otherwise I'll hold it and maybe it will spike again or grow a basil keiki. I have used the paste on healthy plants because they may have an espically beautiful flower and I'd like some insurance should I get heaey-handed with the water. I have also used it on catts to stimulate new "eye" growth.

[Lagoon]

Geez Howard, looks like you got some orchid porn going on there
I think it's a great idea to increase the more special phals you have, nice to share with others too.
I just may try this stuff 1 day,

[Jkelee]

You're a funny hunnie Gloria

I wanna try it too! Where do I buy what you have Biker?

[BikerDoc5968]

Plant Hormones Canada

[Lagoon]

Check this link for USA suppliers --

http://www.orchidmall.com/hormones/keikispl.htm

[Jkelee]

Thank you both!! Time to start shopping