From the keiki to the plant - how long?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Hi everyone
it is only this year when I started to separate keikis from my different dendrobiums and plant them into the pots. It will be month now, and all of them seems to be doing fine, I do not see any leaves falling, any yellowing and I see new leaves growing, so I do consider it as a success so far. My question is, how long does it take for a keiki to become a mature plant? I would love to give some to my friends, but I want to make sure before I do so, they are established and growing, so they won't kill them. Many thanks for some tutorial on this one, totally new experience for me with keikis

[WhiteRabbit]

Some Den keikis can bloom while still very small. What type(s) of Dens?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Most of them is from my heterocarpum, there is few from nobile dendrobium.

---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 PM ----------

I am not expecting it to bloom next year, I just wanted to ask when can I say for sure that keiki is established and growing plant. It is only a month now, but I guess by next year spring if they are doing fine, it is all good. Also, one more think, you do also winter dry rest for keikis like this??? or it does not apply to keikis, and you follow regular watering regime???

[Bud]

some hybrid Dendrobium keikis will mature and bloom the next year....my kingianum keikis bloom the following year even while attached to the mother plant; I have dry environment so I don't like to detach the keikis until they really mature.
Do not give rest period to keikis....consider them growing kids who need food and sustenance. They will give you a sign if their leaves fall after the blooms then its time to give it a rest.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Many thanks Bud. We have it pretty humid, but they were really well established anyway, I would say like 6-8inches with 1-3 inches roots for heterocarpum, so I decided to separate. Which I am pretty happy for it now because it seems I might have killed my big heterocarpum - over water - so at least I will have keikis:-) Thanks for tips!!!!

[Bud]

Two years ago, I was advised by two senior members to purchase this very important book:
"Dendrobium And Its Relatives"
by three authors:
Bill Lavarack, Wayne Harris and Geoff Stocker

this book has beautiful pictures and really pertinent practical tips on growing any kind of Dendrobiums.
I never tire of reading it cover to cover ....its on my center table in the living room better than those glossy pricy magazines for my visitors to browse through.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

You'll kill me Bud, awesome tip again, hard to find in new condition but I did, and bought:-)))) Many thanks, will go to my collection of other orchid books:-)

[Bud]

that is a very good investment....that book is my reference whenever I have any Dendrobium questions....

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Bud

that is a very good investment....that book is my reference whenever I have any Dendrobium questions....

Since I was really not successful yet with blooming ANY Dendros, except the regular Home Depot ones, I am truly excited to read this. I did purchase dozens of different Dendrobiums this year and this will for sure help! I just have to laugh to see the PRICES for this book, at most websites USED and running around $35-$80, NEW around $100 and more:-)

[WhiteRabbit]

I also got that book a couple of years ago. I was happy to find a used one less than $20!