Question about Keikis

[naturalgirl]

I'm not even sure I spelled that correctly, LOL.

I read on another orchid forum I go to that orchids that are sick will often produce a keiki as a dying effort to leave something alive behind. I had originally thought that the production of one wasn't always a bad thing but the members there made it sound rather like orchids pretty much only produce babies when they're dying. So my question is, do healthy orchids ever produce a keiki just because they feel like it?

Thanks!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by naturalgirl

I'm not even sure I spelled that correctly, LOL.

I read on another orchid forum I go to that orchids that are sick will often produce a keiki as a dying effort to leave something alive behind. I had originally thought that the production of one wasn't always a bad thing but the members there made it sound rather like orchids pretty much only produce babies when they're dying. So my question is, do healthy orchids ever produce a keiki just because they feel like it?

Thanks!

Not always correct. Some just do it because!

[naturalgirl]

Good to know I fantasize that one day I will have a little keiki to raise but I don't want my 'chids to have to die for it, LOL

[Phantasm]

Many plants produce keikis on a normal basis. It is very typical of Dendrobium kingianum, and plants can be covered with keikis.
Keikis can be a response to imminent death, but no more than blooming for the last time.

[quiltergal]

Phal. equestris is another that is a prolific keiki producer just because. If you think about it it's a great way to insure reproduction. The plant can reproduce by seed and vegatatively! That certainly increases the odds for survival than seed alone.

[kiki-do]

I have a question along this line. You see keikis on Dens. and many other type orchids, but I have only seen one keiki off a phal and that was in a picture through OB.
How often does this happen for Phalaenopsis...is it a rarity? How might you get one to happen? kiki-do

[snow]

i have yet to have a phal that does NOT produce keikes'
and mine sure ain,t dying.
i think it,s quite natural ror them to do that.
esspecially in high humidity cases. at least that,s my oppinion for all its worth

[camille1585]

I don't have high humidity, but my very healthy phal (I can almost see the roots grow!) is making keikis. I think some varieties must have it in their genes to make keikis. Just because. Right now mine has 3 growing on its two spikes . I think I'll get rid of 1 or 2 to avoid wearing out the plant. I'll also have to keep an eye on it because it seems like a phal that will bloom and keiki itself to death!

[Phantasm]

Certain phal species will produce lots of keikis, especially plants like Phal lueddemanniana and its close relatives.

[orchidexpress]

Everying will be ok; please do not fret. I get alot of keikis on some of my dendrobiums. Most of the keikis are produced as I give my plant alot of neglect...or they are too stuffed together and may be missed sometimes
when it is their watering turn...etc and so forth. This does not mean that the plant in definately on the way out the door to it's death.

You can get a baby plant from a phal if you do not cut down the flower spike; either that or a couple of flowers.

Whenever you see a keiki growing you want to water the base of the keiki to promote it to produce it's roots.
Some people go out and buy keiki paste and make a whole bunch of babies from a plant. Why not just let the plant just grow larger and look better with many more flowers.

I use mainly Dyna-Gro Products. I fertilize with a Dyna Gro Grow with has a whole more trace minerals and elements in it. Then I use something special to promote roots. It's called KLN and I tell everyone that, "it puts roots on a shovel," and I seriously mean that.

There are several phal species that will contiously put out several plantlets as equestris and amabalis.

Good luck and Happy Growing!!!

Lee