A question about raising keikies

[camille1585]

Me too I wanted to leave the keiki on, but momma plant was starting to have a tough time towards the end, so off went the keiki. As for blooming, this phal has a lot of Phal equestris in its parentage so loves to bloom. I cut the keiki off around end of march, and it started growing a spike 6 weeks later!! I think my plants have finally learned that I have no patience what so ever!!

[Orchidflowerchild]

Originally Posted by orchidexpress

Remember phals are a lower light plant.

I think we need to define that. 1000-1500fc isn't *THAT* low a light situation. In fact, the healthiest phals I have ever seen are at Olympia Orchids, here in Texas, and he grows his entire collection in strong cattleya light.

Also, let's discuss how "normal" in home lighting hovers around 3-500fc, which will not bloom phals. Also, they will bloom much better closer to 2000fc than 1000, in general.

I think a lot of people would be astonished how quickly light levels diminish as you move away from a window.

-Cj

[quiltergal]

I completely agree CJ! I have my phals in a southwest window with T5s to supplement. They are all blooming and growing like crazy.

[thakshila smith]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

What happens if I don't remove it, as I am inclined to. Will it fall off? Will the spike that connects it to the mother plant rot away and separate the two? Or will I have, as time goes on, two adult sized plants connected to each other for ever?

Nice question Tindo, it wont rot away or separate .
yes you can keep two adult size plants together as you wish.
Bec here in one vandas bush there are about 25 shoots living together and of course bloom . People have no time to separate them and they grow as a bush . keikis grow in to an adult size plant and even they produce keiki after some time.

[Tindomul]

Thanks Thakshila, thats exactly what I wanted to know.

Originally Posted by thakshila smith

Nice question Tindo, it wont rot away or separate .
yes you can keep two adult size plants together as you wish.
Bec here in one vandas bush there are about 25 shoots living together and of course bloom . People have no time to separate them and they grow as a bush . keikis grow in to an adult size plant and even they produce keiki after some time.