Help! She won't make me a baby!!

[Ethan]

Ok, so I've had this phal NOID for almost two years. I received it from a florist friend who used the flowers then gave me the plant - so I had no idea what the flowers looked like (of course it was mislabeled). A little over a year ago it suffered crown rot.

Shortly after it sent up a flower spike. The blooms are just beautiful and I've never seen another quite like it. Therein lies the problem - since I can't find another, I want it to make a kei-kei. When the flowers finished, I left the spike on hoping it would produce some kei-keis - instead it started growing more flowers (I know, poor me). One of the photos below shows what it looks like right now. I think it has around 13 flowers.

So the question is - how do I get it to have a baby since its fate is doomed due to crown rot? I have had a few other phals that got crown rot and shortly after produced basal kei-keis. This one just won't do it!!! After it's finished flowering should I remove the flower spike in hopes that this will prompt a basal kei-kei? Or should I leave the flower spike on in hopes that it will produce a kei-kei there? Help!!! The other photos below show its current sad condition.

Thanks for the help!!

[Ross]

I'm not sure what you are looking for Ethan. This plant looks very typical and very fine to me. Not all Phals send up keikis and even then that sometimes is done to protect itself from coming death (like when the plant has crown rot). What I can see of the roots looks fine. What I can see of the top of the mix looks OK (not rotten). The blossoms are killers! My recommendation is quit swetting it and let the plant finish blooming. Cut the spike down near the leaves (doesn't matter where - just don't cut the leaves). Repot. I like to use clear plastic pots for a couple reasons. First, they let me monitor the condition of the roots and mix - this will help you keep it going forever. Second, Phal roots are able to do photosynthesis. The roots can function a little bit like the leaves do. When the pot is in front of a window and the roots are swarming around the window side of the pot, you'll understand.

I like the color of the plant and the dappled sun on the leaves. That appears to be perfect illumination.

Just keep up what you are doing. Everything looks fine. I'm not worried about the little bits of brown in the second and third pics (if that is what you wanted us to see.) You're dooing good. Now just cool it!

[Ethan]

hehe. Thanks for the encouragement, Ross. I'll take a chill pill.

The plant is actually in good condition, but I know there will never be any new leaves due to the crown rot. The leaves that are on there are almost 2 years old and older. How long can a phal leaf live?

I remember reading in another thread something about a kei-kei hormone you can use? Any thoughts on that?

[Ross]

I see no evidence of crown rot (and I've seen my share .) If you are convinced the crown is dead (I am not), then keiki paste would do the trick. Another sign (I've had this more than once) is the plant will probably send up a basil spike (keiki) on its own. That plant is just too healthy to up and die!

Another thing: typically, in my experience, when the crown is planning on dieing (does it ever "plan") then the flower spike often comes from the crown. The last spike came exactly as I would have expected, from a lower leaf node. Are you wanting a new leaf at the same time as the flower spike? Is that what is making you think the crown is rotten? This is pretty rare (it can happen, often with certain crosses) and I almost never see a new leaf node appear until the end of the flower spike period. Hope this helps. I still think you are OK. Go get another "chill pill"

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ethan

The plant is actually in good condition, but I know there will never be any new leaves due to the crown rot. The leaves that are on there are almost 2 years old and older. How long can a phal leaf live?

After re-reading your post (something didn't sound right) I realized that the reason you must be suspecting crown rot is that the plant put out flower spikes but no new leaves in 2 years. Did you consider your cultural techniques? Can you describe all the cultural factors that relate to this plant? Temperatures, lighting, water frequency, what kind of water, fertilizer, what frequency of fertilizer, what strength of fertilizer, when was the last time you repotted, what type of music you play (just kidding there ). Any of these could effect why the plant would rather throw up flower spikes than new leaves. For instance, here is my regimen:

Light from south-facing window (as much light as I can muster, I am after pale green leaves), clear pots so I can watch roots/medium, water only when roots change from greenish to white and no moisture beads appear on pot wall - then I totally saturate the pot with water/fertilizer mix for several minutes till roots turn back to green, watering mix is pure RO water with 125ppm nitrogen fertilizer mix (I never change from this mix and never flush the pots), Medium is pure fir bark, I repot whenever the mix starts showing signs of breaking down (little white fungus balls, etc.), my preferred music is oldies from the 60s

[Ethan]

Thanks for all the help, Ross - I really appreciate it. In fact I'm going to try to implement some of these tips on my phal growing.

However, I'm pretty partial to clay pots - I understand your preference for plastic - it makes sense to me and have thought about switching, but my green house is an addition to the house , so it's an aesthetic thing.

In the last year I've been having tremendous luck with my orchids - especially phals. It seems like I'm really starting to get it right. The problem is when the green house was built and moved everybody in, of course there's water everywhere in a greenhouse. Well, back then I didn't know you aren't supposed to let water collect in phal crowns. (I've since learned better)

I had four phals get crown rot. One died completely, two grew basal kei-keis and then this one. And yes, I'm POSITIVE it had crown rot as the center became mushy and black and I lost the top half of the whole plant - I promise, it was unmistakabely crown rot. Luckily I was able to clean it up and save it. It has since healed, or callused, if you will. That's probably why you can't tell from the picture (it was a year and a half ago, actually) so those leaves that are left are REALLY old.

So yes, center is dead, but this flower spike came up last spring. I thought, well, okay, maybe I'll get some kei-keis out of it, but nope...just keeps growing new flowers from the end after a short rest.

So I'm wondering if the reason it's not producing a basal kei-kei is because that flower spike is still there. Maybe it's thinking "I will save myself by producing flowers/seeds instead of a kei-kei". If I cut the flower spike off maybe it will think "Well crap, now I have to save myself by producing a kei-kei!" I was just wondering if this is logical - if anyone else had similar experience.

Also, the kei-kei paste. I've never heard of this until a few days ago - I'm assuming there are probably other threads on here about that?

I know I may sound crazy, but I just really like this one and it's going through a very slow death unless it reproduces.

[Ethan]

Oh, and by the way - they listen to our local top 40's station all day - even when I'm not home. Hope that helps.

[lostonthebeach]

"my preferred music is oldies from the 60s "

I think the real secret of success here is the choice of music.

Seriously, Ross described perfect growing conditions.

If you still are interested in "kei-kei - hormone" do a search (found in the FORUM menu) for those words and you will see that there are lots of discussions on these topics.