New acquisition: Den. victoria-reginae

[JFeathersmith]

A few weeks ago I was reading older posts in this section of the forum, found some about this species, and was instantly smitten. And then I was distraught, for vendor after vendor did not sell it! Or they listed it, but “out of stock.” WOE. But then I found a few places that did carry it, and I recently got this one ("Blues Brothers" HCC/AOS x "Royal Blue" AM/AOS) from Asuka Orchids in California.

I’m keeping it potted for now (pot is about 4" diameter), though eventually I’d like to mount it so it can grow more naturally.

It looks like a pretty healthy and mature plant, and also has several keikis on it. None of the keikis have very long roots, however – is there anything I can do to encourage them to grow longer roots so they can be potted up separately? It also looks like all the new foliage on the plant is actually on the keikis – would moving them (once their roots are big enough) be dangerous for the parent plant, which doesn’t seem to making any new canes other than the keikis?

[Tindomul]

Sorry, i'm not really much help. Only that I would just mist the keiki's often or include them in the watering regimen. Also, if you really wanted to, you could use some root boosting formula when you water just the keiki. Rooting hormone of some kind.

I just wanted to say, that's a nice plant. Good luck with it.

[Jeff214]

very jealous of your new acquisition. This one has been on my wishlist since my first orchid purchase.

I can't advise you on anything but congrats on your new den!

[estación seca]

Nice plant. I haven't grown it, but I don't repot, separate keikis nor make divisions when we're going into winter unless I'm forced to.

[fishmom]

I keep a spray bottle with some kelp fert handy to mist things like those keikis.

[LovePhals]

I agree with fish mom, it looks like a gorgeous plant!

[Dandrobium]

Looks great JF! Yes, as mentioned keep the keikis on the mother plant until there are a few good size roots on them and they can establish themselves when divided. Divide and pot up when the roots have green growth tips on them.
I grow mine in a very small pot with coarse media (medium-large fir bark) in intermediate conditions with paphs (strong morning light, bright shade rest of day). Humidity about 70%, but it grows fine down to 50%.

Good Luck!

[JFeathersmith]

Thanks for the advice and compliments, everyone

The keikis look like they've got a good way to go before their roots are large enough to repot separately!

I went out of town over the holiday weekend, and when I got back, I noticed the plant has several little green bumps on it, all at the "joints" on the different stems, and one that's more than just a "bump" - I think they're all flower buds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I'd have to wait months before this happened

[Tindomul]

Those definitely look like flower buds.

[katrina]

It is flowering time for this one so, yes, you have buds.

As to the keikis...this species readily makes those and some will root and others won't. The plant will eventually become a large mass of pendulous growths...sooner if you leave the offshoots until it is really large. I gave my very large vic-reg away a few years back because I couldn't accommodate it AND a similar growing hybrid (Mingles Sapphire) in my space...they are both very leggy growers.


BTW - when it gets larger you will find that it has a big flush of blooms at this time of the year but it will also give you smaller flushes of blooms throughout the rest of the year.