Keiki question from kiki

[kiki-do]

I am confused as to what constitutes an actual "keiki" from just a cluster of new roots popping out when an orchid is rootbound.
I made mention that someone had keikis growing out, and I was corrected that they were just roots growing sideways from the base of the plant.
So what is a keiki???? Appreciate any help....showing the difference with pics would be nice too. kiki

[quiltergal]

Hi Kiki, that was me. Sorry if I offended! It sure wasn't my intention.

On sympodial plants like catts, oncs etc. the new growth from the base isn't really a keiki, it's simple a new growth or lead. Most new growths can't survive on their own without the help of the preceeding pseudo bulbs. I don't recall ever seeing a true keiki on either of those two alliances but I have been wrong before so don't take that as gospel! The notable exception to this is of course the dens which do both.

On monopedials like phals it's very common for them to keiki from a flower spike. On occasion if the plant's crown has died it will send up a basal keiki as a last ditch effort at survival.

I'm unclear if slippers are considered monopedial or not. They send up new growths yearly, and bloom from the new growth like a sympodial.

Clear as mud right?

[Ross]

Typically, a Keiki is a new, self sustaining plant. It typically occures on a flower spike or, if a dendrobium, a pseudobulb. It can also occur on other species such as Epidendrum flower spikes. You, typically will recognize it because it looks like a little plant and has some small roots (hopefully). Many of us increase our collections with these little plantlets.

[kiki-do]

Oh Terri, I never felt offended ....only confused! Don't think that. Still am unsure, though. I guess I am more of a hand's on kind of girl. I will have to ask my orchid guru the next time I visit him and have him actually show me the difference then explain. Does that mean that keikis are never down by the base of an orcid but always at a node? Or stem?
You tried! I'm just a little dense, I think. Thanks, though! kiki

[kiki-do]

Thanks Ross! I do recognize them on Dendrobiums. And on pics I've seen of some Phals. It's seeing the bundle of roots hanging out over the top of pots that had me thinking they were keikis cause they looked as though they could be easily separated from the mother plant.
I appreciate your help. kiki

[quiltergal]

I think maybe the key point is they need to be able to survive on their own as a completely separate plant to be considered a keiki. The glossary says KAY-key)
Hawaiian word for baby. A Keiki is a genetically identical plant produced asexually by an orchid plant. Most commonly, keikis are produced on orchid genera such as Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis and Vanda. Ocassionally a Keiki will bloom while still attached to the mother plant.

[sunny]

usually if you are talking about about phalaenosis, there are two kinds of keikis. one grows from the base of the plant and it is a basal keikis. basically, a baby. the mother plants cannot support itself for one reason or another and will eventually die back. the baby will grow and replace it. the keiki that grows on the spike is a baby keiki that will eventually look just like the mother and will grow it's own roots. do not cut it off until it has maybe 1 1/2 or 2 inches of roots. don't ask me how long it took me to learn this.

[Dame]

I am new here and I found this an interesting thread
I don't suppose anybody has any pics of these Keikis?
I would love to see some

best wishes
Dame

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Dame

I am new here and I found this an interesting thread
I don't suppose anybody has any pics of these Keikis?
I would love to see some

best wishes
Dame

This was after I took the Keiki off the Epidendrum flower spike:



Sorry I don't have photo on the spike.

[Dorothy]

I posted photos of my phal with a keiki on it's spike and if you look at the plant's base, you'll notice a basal keiki (which is quite large) growing off the mother plant.
Check out this thread - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...iki-spike.html