Neostylis Lou Sneary keiki taking over

[Bill U.]

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to growing Neostylis Lou Sneary, and in the last few months of my care, it seems to have been growing well. I originally bought it with what appeared to be the start of a spike, but apparently it was a keiki!

I have seen other plants keiki more basally, but it doesn't seem to stop the growth of the main (original) plant fan. On mine, it seems that only the keiki is growing and the original fan is just stagnating or slightly withering? Could it just be that it's pouring all new energy into the keiki? Once the keiki has enough roots, should it be separated from the main plant to help stimulate the original fan to grow and bloom (while getting the bonus new plant from the division)?

Thanks!

[Ray]

They CAN form clusters, but what I see is an original plant that sustained damage to the apical meristem (the "crown"). so formed a new one to stay alive.

I would not consider separating the new growth; the older leaves will eventually start to fail anyway, be resorbed and drop off.