New Phal growth - not sure what this is?

[alannanoelle]

This new growth started on one of the spikes on a phal of mine. At first I thought it was a new branch growing off of it, but it started a bud immediately. Now it looks almost like it has leaves growing with it. Could this possibly be a keiki? I've never had one before, so I don't know what they look like, or what to do with them!

Thanks!

[alannanoelle]

Not sure why the images didn't show up. Let me try this again!

[OrchidSue]

Yes, it's a keiki coming.

Susan

[alannanoelle]

Oh, how exciting! After doing some reading, I'm guessing this keiki grew because the mother is stressed. It had bud burn and lost all its blooms and buds, and doesn't seem to be doing well. Is it safe to repot while the keiki is growing?

[WhiteRabbit]

Some orchids just grow keikis a lot - doesn't necessarily mean the plant is stressed. If the plant and roots look good I wouldn't worry about it - tho if your plant has never been repotted, it might be a good idea. I don't know if repotting would effect the keiki or not.

[ELORCHID]

Its a keiki, congratulations. Repot if mother plant looks stressed or if potting media is really decayed. I repotted my mother plant and it didn't hurt the keiki. Don't stress if your keiki doesn't develop roots right away be patient.

[alannanoelle]

Thank you! My mother plant is definitely not looking so hot, so I think I will try repotting.

[Asher]

Hi guys i'm new to this site and was just wondering if anyone knew why the keiki has put out a bud so early ? I have a similar growth on my phal and would love to see a bud as my phal hasn't flowered for over a year... i got a keiki instead (which is now potted up on its own). Would love a bud as i'm starting to forget what the flowers look like after all this time

[Bud]

WOW! flowers and a baby! How cool is that! repot if yuo feel that the roots are overgrowing the old pot; or if the media is crumbling into dust...Do not cut the baby unless it grows roots and can be ready to be independent of the mother...

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Asher

Hi guys i'm new to this site and was just wondering if anyone knew why the keiki has put out a bud so early ? I have a similar growth on my phal and would love to see a bud as my phal hasn't flowered for over a year... i got a keiki instead (which is now potted up on its own). Would love a bud as i'm starting to forget what the flowers look like after all this time

Welcome Asher,

With Phals a drop in temperature is usually required to initiate a new spike. Some folks have trouble if they put the central heating on too soon in the autumn because it stops the drop in temp that the phals like.

For me I actually found that the drop we got in May after a warm April here in the UK initiated several of them. Usually they start in the Autumn, however if you keep your house too cold in the winter (like I do) it can cause them to go dormant instead and I tend to get my spikes as it starts to warm slightly or when we have cold snaps like we did in May.