So now what do I do with the phal keiki??

[camille1585]

I've never had keikis before, so I'm not to sure what to do with this one, and if it's time to take it off. Momma plant (Phal 'Brother Spring Dancer') seems to be struggling a bit since she's growing a leaf and many roots all well as sustaining the keiki and a spike. Her two lower leaves have gone completely limp. Two leaves going at once seems like a bit much.

I want to cut the keiki, but is it big enough? It has 3 leaves plus 1 growing, and 4 roots. What the best medium to repot in? What about light and humidity? I don't want to screw up since I've been pampering the keiki since october!

[kavanaru]

Hi Camile,

I do not have much experience with keikis. But I recived one about two months ago: Epidendrum NOID, 8 cm tall, with 4 to 6 cm long roots. I did not know what to do, and just decided to put on S/H. ...and it loves it!

[kavanaru]

By The Way! Good luck with your thesis

[jrhennek]

Camille
What you want to do is wait until the keiki has a minimum of 4 inches of root growth before you cut it off. You said the plant has 4 roots, so if they are at least 1 inch long it will be safe to remove it from the mother plant. Hopefully the roots are still in there growing mode so that when you remove it takes off right away. I would also put some cinnamon on the cut of the Keiki before you pot it up.

Jayme

[camille1585]

Thanks, it sounds like the keiki is big enough. I measured the roots, and three of them are 3 inches and the forth is 1 inch.
I have medium grade and fine grade bark, which would be better? I may decide to go the s/h route with it since the roots are all in active growth.

[Hedge]

Sorry to jump in but am following this thread as interested in phal propagation, what is S/h please? I looked in the glossary but no mention.

Thanks again and sorry for being a newb!

Hedge

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Hedge

Sorry to jump in but am following this thread as interested in phal propagation, what is S/h please? I looked in the glossary but no mention.

Thanks again and sorry for being a newb!

Hedge

Semi hydro is a different medium (clay/ceramic balls) and a different way of growing orchids. I don't know much about it myself, so have a look at Ray's website. He explains it way better than I ever could.
First Ray's - Semi hydroponics

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Thanks, it sounds like the keiki is big enough. I measured the roots, and three of them are 3 inches and the forth is 1 inch.
I have medium grade and fine grade bark, which would be better? I may decide to go the s/h route with it since the roots are all in active growth.

Hi Camille,

I use medium grade LECA for my plants. all doing well so far what I also do is that for the small plants and/or those with thin roots (like it was the case of my Epid keiki ) I put a layer of fine grade LECA on the top. I have seen, this helps to keep the moisture up to a higher level on the pot (I do not grow in a greenhouse, and therefore my air humidity is not as high - average between 35 to 50% depending on day and time). The plants seem to like it!

P.D.- for larger plants, I put a layer of sphagnum on top of the pot until they are adapted to S/H!!!