Too many keikis on Phal. equestris?

[Lana]

Wow, wow, WOW! What a cool little plant! Oh, it's not little anymore!

[Lana]

I also love how quickly this beauty developed keikis, flowers, roots, AND a new leaf! I saw so many posts here of people who've been waiting for their keikis to send out ONE root for months and months! I'm no expert, but this just doesn't look like a stressed out plant.

[Jayfar]

As someone else pointed out, equestris are very keiki prone, but that exceptional number of keikis could have been an indication of a stressed plant. But now, looking at your pictures, that is one seriously healthy, robust looking plant. Leaves look to be good, no limpness, and the fact that the keikis are producing roots puts you in a win-win situation. It will be interesting to see, when you eventually pot or mount some of the keikis, whether they will also be keiki crazy.

[Val]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

As someone else pointed out, equestris are very keiki prone, but that exceptional number of keikis could have been an indication of a stressed plant.

My thoughts exactly.

After I took it home, this Phal equestris experienced a stressful sequence: insufficient light - mealy bug(s). Probably this was enough to trigger the stress response, but not enough to cause any permanent damage or weaken the plant.

And then I applied Provado (which did a perfect job in getting rid of the mealies) and placed the plant in a much brighter place. I noticed the spikes turning reddish brown on the window side, while staying green on the room side.

I'm thinking that an experienced grower could try applying the "right amount of stress" in order to trick a Phal into producing keikis. It would be an interesting experiment. In my case, I think the timing was perfect for avoiding weakening the plant - but it was sheer luck.

[DSDNYC]

I agree, you're doing something right. Congrats. Now, will it bloom? I'm left wondering if the northern window is the cause of the stress and the numerous keikis. Only time will tell. One things for sure, you now have a window filled with orchids. That's not a bad thing.

Best of luck.

[pedidiva]

gorgeous plant.

[Val]

And here is how it looks now, another two weeks later.

I put some sphagnum around some keiki roots, in order to get them accustomed to a wet-dry cycle. I left the other keiki roots bare, just to see if there will be any difference in their evolution. I mist all the keiki roots every day, to make life easier for the mother plant.

And the mother responded: "Here's a new spike". The fourth.

You can see this new spike in the picture, bottom-right.

Life's good )

[Daethen]

THAT is one healthy plant. Looks like some of those keikis are about ready to face life on their own.

[Lady Tottington]

I wish I didn't live across the pond, that way I could bribe, beg, and plead with you for one of those babies! I would love to have a part of that plant! If you want to sell one, I would buy and pay shipping to the US! : ))))))))). Pretty pretty pretty please?

[Daethen]

I feel the same way. But, I don't want to get into trouble.