Is This a Keiki? (Acacalis x Zygopetalum hybrid)

[Kuzuri]

I found more growths, this time on my Acacalis Cyanea x Zygopetalum Helen Ku. In fact, it seems there is growing a Keiki ON the Keiki (if that's what it is) too! And there's a new similar growth forming on one of the other pbulbs. It seems my orchids are breeding like rabbits!

I have considered if it's because of stress - I just recently got them, and the move as well as having to get used to a new "home" and a new owner's routine could very well be a stress-factor. But these Keiki are about to bloom, and one of the Keiki's roots reach the media, so most of these (all except for the new growth) must've been on the plant when I got it, so I'm not fully blaming myself.

Anyway, here are some photos:

The large growth.


The growth on the growth.

Both, as you see, are growing on another plant's pbulb, and I read that that's where keiki grow when forming on plants that have pbulbs. So do enlighten a poor newbie! Are these keiki, or just part of the plant?

[Cym Ladye]

These are not keikis but new pseudobulbs. That is the way this genera grows. The bad news is your plants appear to be in desperate need of repotting in fresh media. Plant deeply enough so the new pseudobulbs have their new roots in the mix with room to grow another two years or so. You should either move the plants to bigger pots, or divide the larger one into two plants. It is hard to tell from your photo how large the larger plant is.

I would repot immediately, bloom or no bloom spikes. Remove any old rotted roots, place the oldest growth with its back to the edge of the pot and the new growth closest the middle. Add new mix recommended for this genera.

Cym Ladye

[Kuzuri]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

These are not keikis but new pseudobulbs. That is the way this genera grows. The bad news is your plants appear to be in desperate need of repotting in fresh media. Plant deeply enough so the new pseudobulbs have their new roots in the mix with room to grow another two years or so. You should either move the plants to bigger pots, or divide the larger one into two plants. It is hard to tell from your photo how large the larger plant is.

I would repot immediately, bloom or no bloom spikes. Remove any old rotted roots, place the oldest growth with its back to the edge of the pot and the new growth closest the middle. Add new mix recommended for this genera.

Cym Ladye

Thank you for your response - may I ask why you think I should repot? Because there isn't enough room? The potting media is wet, so that's why it looks that way - it's medium bark.

[Cym Ladye]

All of the above reasons. Aside from that, when I get a plant, I always put it in my own mix so all plants can be watered alike.

You primarily need to repot every three years or when the plant outgrows the pot or shows signs of distress, as yours is doing with the base of the new growth so far above the mix, it cannot settle it's roots into it. It is little like changing water in a fish bowl before the water gets so cloudy the fish dies.

I would use a fine bark mixed with perlite at a 80/20 ratio. In my experience, the zygos and related genera like a finer mix their finer roots.

[Kuzuri]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

All of the above reasons. Aside from that, when I get a plant, I always put it in my own mix so all plants can be watered alike.

You primarily need to repot every three years or when the plant outgrows the pot or shows signs of distress, as yours is doing with the base of the new growth so far above the mix, it cannot settle it's roots into it. It is little like changing water in a fish bowl before the water gets so cloudy the fish dies.

I would use a fine bark mixed with perlite at a 80/20 ratio. In my experience, the zygos and related genera like a finer mix their finer roots.

Thank you - I did repot in a fine bark mix, which I'll add perlite to when I get a hold of some (or something similar - living in Denmark, I don't think we have access to perlite, but I know we must have something like it just with another name.

I appreciate your help. It's not easy being a newbie.