Too many keikis on Phal. equestris?

[Val]

I bought this Phal. equestris two months ago from a nursery. Beautiful plant: 6 leaves (9" leafspan) plus one new leaf, 3 spikes (with a total of 13 branches), almost in full bloom.

At home, the smallest buds blasted (OK, this can happen to anybody), and its growth stunted. In less than a month, all the flowers wilted and dropped. No root problems, no wilted leaves. No apparent cause - until one morning I spotted a big fluffy mealy bug.

I gave it a thorough spray with Provado and isolated it in a brighter spot, not knowing what to expect next.

Long story short: now it's growing no less than 10 keikis (I can see the tiny leaves). But - once more - I don't understand what's going on.

I have lots of questions about this "keiki invasion":
1) Is it because the plant felt threatened by the mealies? Or is it because I put it in a brighter spot? I know that equestris has the habit of producing keikis - but so many at once?
2) Will the plant be able to carry all of them to adulthood? Will it be able to survive in the process?
3) Should I feed it (a little) more than I would have normally (MSU-type, 125ppm, every 3 waterings out of 4)?
4) Should I do/know anything else?

Please shed some light, this cute miniature got me puzzled

Many (no less than 10) thanks in advance!

[Lorraine]

"Keiki Invasion" I love it!! From what I know about equestris they have keikis a LOT. Enjoy them. Plus the flowers last a long time too. Bonus!! I have one mounted on driftwood and never cut back the old spikes. Now each has a keiki with it's own spike. I'll remove them sometime and add to the mount. For now the whole mount is watered & fertilized as usual. I have seen some clustered together and full of blooms. Makes a nice presentation.

[Daethen]

So jealous!!! I need this one!!!

[cb977]

I recently learned from somebody who knows their Phals that although certain Phals are supposed to keiki, Phal equestris (my personal favorite Phal) along with others will only keiki if not given enough light.

I'd increase your lighting a bit for a better chance of blooms

[quiltergal]

If you had mealies you also should repot. Spraying the plant gets rid of the adults but there are still some in the larval stage crawling around down in the media.

If it were mine I would first cut off 2 of the 3 spikes. 10 Keikis at once are going to suck the life right out of the mother plant. A couple probably won't hurt too much. I'd also repot right away. Then wait and watch. Just my .

[Gin]

lolol I think they want to take over the orchid world mine always have a few one is in bright light the others less not found a difference in the number of keikis per plant ..

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As Suzanne had eluded to, in general keikis are a stress response.

Them producing that many may mean something is wrong with the culture or the environment.

I suspect one of the reasons it was triggered was by the mealies attacking.

Mealies can slowly, but surely, kill your orchid if they're not eradicated.

[Val]

Thank you guys for your comments and advice.

Now - 7 weeks later - I owe you a follow-up. Here goes.

My Phal equestris' keikis are healthy and happy, all 13 of them (13 has always been my lucky number btw). Most of them already developed 3 roots, but not yet long enough for detaching and potting.

At first, I was worried for a couple of weeks, fearing that keikis were just a "stress response" (which made a lot of sense at the time), and watched the plant closely, several times a day, every day. No sign of pests or root problems. Just a strong and happy plant.

I'm growing it on the windowsill of a Northern window (the best I have, but at least I have "glued" the plant to the glass and it has plenty of open sky since there's a park across the street), 19-22 C (66-72 F), 50-60% RH, good ventilation, MSU-type fertilizer (weakly-weekely) in rain water.

Just when I was wondering whether the plant would really be able to carry all 13 keikis without getting hurt, it started growing a new leaf. I guess I have my answer.

Since I cannot take much credit for this performance, I think this Phal equestris is just very strong genetically. And to think that I'm getting 13 clones of it!

Pictures:
1 - The whole plant. Can you count the keikis?
2 - Close-up. Roots are good!

[Daethen]

Wow, you are definitely doing something right!!!!

[sucuz]