when and how to release spike keikis - Orchid Board

carolus · #1 02-05-2012, 01:06 PM

Hello all,

I'm a total beginner and this is my first post. My phal (first orchid ever) was agonising when I returned from my summer holiday (person I left in charge was as ignorant as I was!). It had lost one of its two flower spikes, four of its six leaves, and one more was starting to turn yellow.

However, the yellowing leave recovered, new leaves appeared, and to my delight, the flower spike left shot two keikis, which soon each shot a flower spike which is growing fast and has now got its first tiny flower buds.

I have read that keikis' roots must be at least 2 inch when released. The bigger one's are that size, but I wonder if it wouldn't be better to wait until there's not so much growth going on. Maybe after they lose their first blooms?

Second question is about the best way to do this. I've read about two methods: to "unscrew" the keiki and to cut the spike a bit below the keiki. Which one do you recommend?

Thanks in andvance

WhiteRabbit · #2 02-05-2012, 03:34 PM

Very cool!
I have usually read there should be a MINIMUM of 3 inches of roots - can be one 3 inch root, 3 one inch roots, etc - but that is the minimum recommended amount - more roots are better!

I'd probably wait til after blooming to remove them, but if others with more experience in this matter advise otherwise, I'd defer to their experience

I gently twist off keikis to remove them.

tucker85 · #3 02-05-2012, 04:08 PM

I don't have much experience removing keikis either. My book on phalaenosis says to wait until the roots are about three inches long. It shows a picture of cutting the flower stem about and inch from the keiki. I agree with Sonya, I would let the plant bloom and wait until it's finished before removing it. It doesn't hurt anything to wait.

carolus · #4 02-05-2012, 05:17 PM

many thanks, I'll wait then

Merlyn · #5 02-05-2012, 06:03 PM

I pot them in a 2" plastic pot, attach it to the side of the pot and wait until the mother plant stops feeding the baby (keiki). You can tell when the spike dries up and turns brown, then I cut the spike leaving less than an inch and sprinkle cinnamon on the cut.
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