I just purchased a phalaenopsis schilleriana with 2 keikis. Help!

[estación seca]

First, keikis cannot possible kill the parent plant. Many plants normally cluster from the base. This is their normal growth. They would not have evolved to do this unless it were beneficial. Excise this idea from your plant knowledge, and don't think about it again.

I suggest you read about every plants before buying. The Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia (IOSPE) is the place to start for species. For hybrids go to orchidroots.com and then look up ancestor species. Finally, use the maroon menu above and the Search function to see how others here have grown a plant.

The eBay listing is gone so I can't see the plant.

I sometimes but not always repot plants on arrival, depending on the condition of the medium. Others here repot all plants on arrival. There are arguments both ways.

Semihydroponic culture (S/H) works great for Phals if your growing area is warm all year. Is it? Mine is, but a lot of people growing in cold-winter areas of the US keep temperatures fairly cool in winter, and this isn't good for Phals in S/H.

The time to put plants into S/H is when they are making new roots. Phals typically make roots throughout warm weather. If your growing area stays warm, and the plants looks healthy, now would be a good time to move it to S/H.

I recommend you read all about S/H on the First Rays Web site before trying S/H, because the Web is full of misinformation about S/H. Ray invented the S/H method we use.

Yes, I always practice new things on cheap plants, the cheaper the better.

Finally, schilleriana is not hard to grow.

[msarro]

Originally Posted by estación seca

First, keikis cannot possible kill the parent plant. Many plants normally cluster from the base. This is their normal growth. They would not have evolved to do this unless it were beneficial. Excise this idea from your plant knowledge, and don't think about it again.

Apologies, I meant in terms of the keikis draining resources from the mother plant. I've seen videos where multiple keikis on a single mother have starved the plant, which is where I had come upon the idea.

Originally Posted by estación seca

The eBay listing is gone so I can't see the plant.

Sorry about that! I grabbed the photos and attached them!

Originally Posted by estación seca

Semihydroponic culture (S/H) works great for Phals if your growing area is warm all year. Is it? Mine is, but a lot of people growing in cold-winter areas of the US keep temperatures fairly cool in winter, and this isn't good for Phals in S/H.

The time to put plants into S/H is when they are making new roots. Phals typically make roots throughout warm weather. If your growing area stays warm, and the plants looks healthy, now would be a good time to move it to S/H.

I recommend you read all about S/H on the First Rays Web site before trying S/H, because the Web is full of misinformation about S/H. Ray invented the S/H method we use.

I live in a colder climate (USDA 6A/6B border). The temp shouldn't drop below 68. RH is usually around 50%.

I've got a background with hydroponics for food production (and S/H isn't very different from kratky/DWC hydroponic methods), so I feel somewhat comfortable tackling it. Still, it may be best to save it for another day for now.

Thank you for the feedback!!!

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by msarro

I've seen videos where multiple keikis on a single mother have starved the plant....

This does not happen. Think about it. More roots, more leaf mass means more photosynthetic mass. More basal offsets are always good.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by msarro

Apologies, I meant in terms of the keikis draining resources from the mother plant. I've seen videos where multiple keikis on a single mother have starved the plant, which is where I had come upon the idea.

As e.s. said, this doesn't happen. There is no way a video could show cause and effect in this case.

Originally Posted by camille1585

If the plant in the photos is what you are getting, it looks like a happy, healthy plant(s).

I agree with Camille. There is nothing about that plant that would give me cause for concern.

...go on youtube and search "missorchidgirl keiki kill mother" you'll find the [video] I'm referring to.

I found the video. MissOrchidGirl is pretty good a lot of the time, but on this she's wrong.

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Where have you been getting cultural information from?... I have found this board to be filled with seasoned growers who will dispel the myths and give solid cultural info.

You will find that growers here speak from years to decades of experience, rather than presenting what they've read online as fact.

Orchid growing should be a fun, relaxing, and enjoyable endeavor. While your reading, researching, and leaving nothing to chance will serve you well growing orchids, it is also possible to go to far and worry your plants to death. Far more orchids that died in my care were killed by doing too much, than doing too little.


That's a pretty healthy looking orchid. I think you made a good purchase.


-Keith

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by estación seca

The eBay listing is gone so I can't see the plant.

It isn't gone you just need to scroll down.

-Keith