Den. Red Emperor 'Prince'

[Leisurely]

I would remove the keikis if I were you and start a new plant. To remove them, they only need a slight twist and they will come off easily. No cutting is usually necessary.

Remember about the culture, no fertilizer beginning in August.

[cabnc]

I removed the two keiki. I was not able to remove them with "only a slight twist." Likely due to my fear of exerting too much pressure and tearing things asunder. So I used a small sterilized exacto blade.

Pictures show the plant before, the scar locations after removal and dusting with cinnamon, the two keiki removed (with 12 inch ruler), and the family group shot. As you can see, the keiki are almost as large as the new cane growing on the left of the mother plant.

Charlie

[snow]

nice red Jerry.

[Leisurely]

Nice job Jerry. Remember, the next time you get keikis, remove them as soon as they make their own roots. Leaving them on the parent plant can cause the strength to go to the keikis instead of the mother plant and you don't get the good growth that you would otherwise.

[chibearskil51]

I just bought a beauty of a Red Emperor "Prince" that has one stalk 20 inches tall and a second 17 inches full of flowers and two new starts 2-3 inches tall; so what care do I perform to keep it growing as such; I am new to orchids- this is just my third in 3 years.

[Leisurely]

You do not list the part of the country in which you reside. Nobiles would appreciate weekly light fertilizer, 1 tsp. per week from now through August and abundant and frequent water. Stop fertilizer in August and begin reducing water until you have stopped altogether by the time nights are in the low fifties. Generally buds will begin showing by December and once buds are evident you can begin to increase water. If you grow indoors, you may need to give small amounts of water during the dry winter rest to prevent dessication of the plant.

[chibearskil51]

Leisurely your info is greatly appreciated; sorry about not stating where I am located-it is in Lake Placid Florida. Please update info for location and if best to place orchid outside in winter months.

[Leisurely]

Outside is closer to what mother nature provides which is, of course, always better. When nobiles are dormant, lows in the thirties present no problem for them provided that they are protected from frost.

[barkingsquirrell]

Beautiful color. Good growing.