Cutting loose my Keiki - Orchid Board

mjgord51 · #1 03-22-2022, 01:26 PM

Newbie here, We have a Keiki growing on one of the stems and I would like to know can I just wiggle/twist it off or is it best to cut part of the stem with it? It now has two roots 3 to 4 inches and two more just coming out.
Any help is appreciated.

Dimples · #2 03-22-2022, 02:04 PM

None of my plants have grown a keiki, but if they do my plan is to clip the flower spike just above and below to remove it when the time comes. Less chance of damaging the keiki that way. Good luck!

camille1585 · #3 03-22-2022, 03:02 PM

Safest method is to cut the stem above and below the keiki. Twisting does work, but increases the odds of damaging it. I usually chicken out and end up whipping out the scissors instead!

SG in CR · #4 03-22-2022, 03:27 PM

On Dendrobiums I've had a keiki die when I just removed it from the p-bulb. Now I just cut off the bulb an inch or two below and the added energy seems to help the keiki make the transition to it's new home better. I would imagine that the same would apply to stem keikis. The keiki can draw sugars and minerals from the still live stem while it's growing and acclimating to being separated.

mjgord51 · #5 03-22-2022, 05:10 PM

The twisting off idea I thought to do is because the Orch. plant is starting to grow more out shoots or is beginning to re bloom again. This Orch. plant (Phal) has two lower original stems that wasn't cut off after last years flowers and one is getting a out shoot stem in the middle of it and the other one w/keiki has another out shoot stem just below the keiki and also on the tip is starting to grow. Kinda don't want to cut off the keiki and loose the future growth. I don't know if the stem having the keiki when it is cut will die off and jeopardize the future new out stem. Kinda "nervous" at this point not knowing what will happen after a cutting of the stem.
The first pic is its last years Bloom "keiki's mommy", second to forth pics are this years growth w/keiki now.

Roberta · #6 03-22-2022, 06:46 PM

I agree with others that the best bet for the keiki is to cut the stem above and below the keiki and pot that up. Then let the plant do whatever it wants (like that side shoot that will give you more flowers) and enjoy the show. At this point, everything that you get is a bonus. Enjoy the show.

mjgord51 · #7 03-27-2022, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

I agree with others that the best bet for the keiki is to cut the stem above and below the keiki and pot that up. Then let the plant do whatever it wants (like that side shoot that will give you more flowers) and enjoy the show. At this point, everything that you get is a bonus. Enjoy the show.

One more question about small hand held fine misters, good or bad idea? Our house only has a "Evaporative Cooler" (swamp cooler) lol that only is on in the hotter summer mounts. Temps can get in the low 100's though and I also have ceiling fans in every room except the Kitchen to move the air around. Average house temps are 75* +/- some all year around. Winter here (3500 ft. above see level) in Yucca Valley can & has dropped into single digits before but house temps are somewhere at 75* average.

Thanks again for any Info. Marvin aka MJ

Roberta · #8 03-27-2022, 11:49 PM

Any misting that you do by hand is not going to have much of an effect on the plants. The "humidity" will be gone as soon as you stop applying it, Anything you do to raise humidity around the plants you would need operate most of the time, especially during the day. For a small area, I wonder if the vaporizers that people use to raise humidity in sleeping areas (like for kids) could help,

mjgord51 · #9 03-28-2022, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

Any misting that you do by hand is not going to have much of an effect on the plants. The "humidity" will be gone as soon as you stop applying it, Anything you do to raise humidity around the plants you would need operate most of the time, especially during the day. For a small area, I wonder if the vaporizers that people use to raise humidity in sleeping areas (like for kids) could help,

So am I wrong by thinking I need to give my Orchids a little shower or extra moisture from time to time in between waterings, is it beneficial to them for a extra mist here and there? Just thought it would be helpful.

Roberta · #10 03-28-2022, 12:40 PM

An extra bath can help (spritz not so useful), but better would be to find a way to increase humidity generally. And in your dry climate, you will need to water much more often than what you find in the "literature". How often depends on the medium, plant size, and container. But if you do what people in humid climates, or growing in a greenhouse do, you'll likely kill them... In a fast-drying, open medium you'll likely be watering daily in summer and every other day in winter. You need to observe what the plants do, base your regimen on YOUR conditions,

One way to determine when watering is needed, water well (like under running water), let drain, and weigh the pot on a postal scale or kitchen scale. Weigh the next day, etc. When the rate of weight loss flattens out (not much more water to evaporate) then it's time to water. But don't be afraid to water... As the plants dry out, air is pulled into the medium. So if it's soggy then there's not enough room for air and the roots suffer. If the plant dries out, it's time to water no matter what the calendar says.