Save the kieki from dying Phal - Orchid Board

Fumi Lai · #1 08-09-2011, 06:48 AM

Hi everyone,
I was heart broken when my neighbor overwatered my mini Phal while I was on holiday and I am sure there is now way I can save it now. There was two leaves and one went yellow and drop off last week and now the last one is starting to die (see attached pic)
But, on the spike there is something growing very strong and fast! I think the mother is trying to push a new keiki before dying. I have check the Phal and it has no root left. Can the spike stay alive without any leaves until the keiki grow bigger?
Can the spike acts as the root for the little keiki, so I can cut it from the spike and try to replant this tiny thing?
PLEASE experts from this forum. Help me to save the poor thing!!! Thank you!

RosieC · #2 08-09-2011, 07:29 AM

That looks like a terminal spike and a keiki.

The keiki is too small to plant up. I think I have heard of someone putting a spike like that in water (like a cut flower) but it's a long shot and I'm not sure for certain it would work.

In the last pic it looks like the keiki is trying to flower. If it were mine I would try to remove the flower bud without damaging the keiki, but I'm not sure if that's possible.

Hope someone else with more experience of these sorts of things can help, as I don't really know what you can do.

sii · #3 08-09-2011, 08:52 AM

Rosie, can I ask how you know it's a terminal spike? Is it because of where that little leaf is growing?

I've never seen one.

p.s.

Fumai

Kelo · #4 08-09-2011, 08:59 AM

Personally, I would leave it on there until the last minute then cut off the spike with as much healthy tissue as possible. I would also get it out of that moss to help it dry out a bit because you may well be able to save it if you place it in a warm sphag bag. I would also do as Rosie suggests and cut off the spike with flower. Insert a sheet of card or something similar between the spike and the keiki then cut with the sharpest blade you have. Do it gently though.

Kelo · #5 08-09-2011, 09:00 AM

How rude of me - welcome to the forum, too! Hope you enjoy your stay!

Fumi Lai · #6 08-09-2011, 09:56 AM

Thank you so much kind members. I have one question about the sphag n bag saving method. After putting the plant in the bag, how often should you open the bag for it to "breath"? Or should you open it at all before seeing some growth?

Kelo · #7 08-09-2011, 10:37 AM

Only open the bag after growth is well established. Make sure the sphag is nice and moist. If moisture does escape you will have to replace it.

Fumi Lai · #8 08-09-2011, 11:31 AM

Thank you Kelo! I will try to do it tonight and post the photo, please see if I am doing it right.

Kelo · #9 08-09-2011, 11:53 AM

OK, no problem.

RosieC · #10 08-09-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sii

Rosie, can I ask how you know it's a terminal spike? Is it because of where that little leaf is growing?

I've never seen one.

It's because the spike seems to come out of the crown with the base of the top leaf curled around it. Usually spikes would come out of the side of the plant.

Yes terminal spikes often have a leaf at the node about that height, but I've seen that on ordinary spikes as well. It's the place the spike is coming from which will stop the plant from growing any more leaves from that crown.