NOID phals developing multiple crowns

[Silje]

I got my greenhouse in November 2012 and have moved all my orchids in there. I only take them out when they are flowering to enjoy the blossoms inside the house. I'm mentioning this because I think it must somehow be of importance.

Since then 12 of my 15 NOID supermarket phals have developed multiple crowns. All of them at least one, many of them two.

The roots are fine, the main crown continues to grow and they're all spiking which is on time and as normal this time of the year. So, I don't think I have a problem, but all this crown-making has made me curious.

I think I like it! I'm now getting 'bushy' phals with multiple growths and potentially great flowering so I would be interested in making sure that I continue to encourage this in the future. But I have no idea why it's happening.

Are there any rule of thumbs or any environmental conditions or fertilizers or temperature ranges or whatever that trigger phals to create crowns?

[Brooke]

It has to do with the genetic background of your Phal. Many Phal species are very generous growing basal keikis.

Enjoy the show when they produce multiple spikes.

Brooke

[Hedge]

Might the growth have been stimulated by the better light in the green house?

[Silje]

Originally Posted by brooke

It has to do with the genetic background of your Phal. Many Phal species are very generous growing basal keikis.

Enjoy the show when they produce multiple spikes.

Brooke

I'm sure you're right, Brooke.But I'm still a bit curious and puzzled as to why these NOID phals have flowered and survived in my house for years without making basal keikis and now they just go crazy.

---------- Post added at 07:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Hedge

Might the growth have been stimulated by the better light in the green house?

Yes, that could definitely be it. I mean, their conditions have changed dramatically from inside a house to a greenhouse, light conditions as well.

I was wondering if it has to do with temperature variations or temperature ranges, but I haven't found any support for that anywhere online.

[silken]

Mine grow in the greenhouse and don't grow multiple growths except for the odd one gets an extra growth. So it does sound a bit strange (in a good way).

[RosieC]

Hmm, several doing it at once when they hadn't shown any sign previously does sound strange.

I would guess that the change in environment might have come as a shock to them (even if overall they like it better) and triggered this, but then as they are happy they've just kept growing well.