Growing Past the Dead Point!!

[james mickelso]

Just looks like ther spike withered down to the keikis and then stopped. (?)

[Nanuca]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Just looks like ther spike withered down to the keikis and then stopped. (?)

When I said it stopped I meant that the withering of the spike didn't advance downwards for at least the past two weeks. I have around 10 keikis on that plant, distributed on two spikes, the ones in the photo are the largest. I must mention that this phal also has two smaller spikes with flowers on them. So I fertilize the mother plant every two weeks, so that it can feed the keikis and keep the flowers on. I also mist the roots of the keikis with plain water almost every day, as it is pretty hot in my area right now.

[lornaheath]

Well Folks, it didn't die past the keiki and stop the growth, today I spotted a new root while I was watering it.

It is still alive and growing!! YAY!!

I am soooooo delighted. I feel that nature has produced a little mini miracle here. Fantastic!!

Lorna
x x x

[MattWoelfsen]

Hello Lorna, I know how you feel about your 'mini-miracle'. I have a very old Phalaenopsis plant. It is a huge plant and it blooms very large, white flowers. Four years ago, I had read somewhere the advice not to cut the flower stalk, so I kept it. That summer, the stalk started growing a little bud at the node. It developed into a keiki! The mother plant continued to grow this keiki without growing anything else--new leaves or flower bud. It did grow a lot of roots.

Last summer, I put it outside and unfortunately some wasps ate into the young leaf, you'll see where they feasted. This year, the mother plant started growing another leaf and the keiki continues to flourish. Neither the mother or the keiki have bloomed. However I think with the new leaf growing, the mother plant should develop a flower spike at the end of summer.

[RosieC]

[No-Pro-mwa]

I have a white Phal that did that, I think I mentioned it in another post. Wish I had my other camera chip as I think I had pics of it. The mother plant and the keiki bloomed at the same time then I cut the keiki back just below the last bloom node (or what ever it's called) and it bloomed again. It was very top heavy.

As with all my plants it was not doing well so I finally decided to cut it and repot them both as they were both getting soft leaves. I'm happy to say mother and keiki are both doing well and the keiki that was blooming at the time finished it's blooming and the spike grew longer and it put on 5 more buds and is still blooming as we speak. Oh and the last 5 blooms are bigger than what either of the plants have been so far.

I don't mind telling you I was so scared I was going to kill them both. I have been keeping them both together so I don't break up the family.

[lornaheath]

Double Joy!!

I found the second root started today. I got twins!

Totally Amazed. This really gives a person confidence in the care of their plants doesn't it? The "I must be doing something right" feeling is here.

Lorna
x x x

[RosieC]

[Island Girl]

Yay!! Congratulations!

---------- Post added at 07:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------

Originally Posted by lornaheath

[.....] I have read of the use of seaweed on here this last day or so but have never heard of it before this. I live near to the River Mersey (Ferry Across the Mersey ~ Gerry & the Pacemakers), so I might just go get some.

Thank YOU

Lorna
x x x

The "seaweed" that I was referring to, is not the same as the seaweed you would get from the river... I am so sorry! I should've been more clear on that... What I was referring to, and should've explained in my first post, is actually extract from seaweed, not the actual green strands of seaweed... Not sure if producing the seaweed extract could be done at home I'm not sure how that would work.... But, anyhow, you have probably already discovered all of this, as you are a very smart woman, who learns, & figures things out rather quickly.

I'm so happy you've got roots!! Always a great feeling isn't it? I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing shiny, new, beautiful root nubbins!!

The seaweed extract can be bought at hydroponic stores, or online, and comes in liquid form, in case anyone else comes across this thread, and would like to know.

[lornaheath]

You all thought this was a root, but I know better.

Look at the pikkies I just took of this root. It's a Worm!!!!

Looks like I might have trouble when it comes to planting time if it hugs the dead spike like this!

Obviously it's upset because the mother spike is dying and it's trying to hold on there!

Blimey. I need to turn my brain off sometimes. Hee heeeee

I did know I wasn't going to go down to the riverbanks of the Mersey and then slap a handful of wet seaweed on my Orchids. Just me being silly I'm afraid. I really do need to turn the brain off before I post!!

Thanks Mary Linn. '-'

Lornie
x x x