Phal with issues - check it out

[mehitabel]

Since you bought it as a keiki, my guess would be heredity rather than "stress".

Stress *can be* a cause of keiki production, but is not the only cause by any means. I would bet heredity produces a lot more keikis than stress does.

Some phal species produce keikis like crazy, and if Baldan's had enough keikis to sell some, this plant very likely inherited that keiki-ing tendency. It would help to have the name.

Al's Orchids list a Phal equestris he calls "Keiki Monster" because it keikis so much.

[Bird Song Farm]

[quote=mehitabel;259200] It would help to have the name.

quote]

I'm sorry I never told you the name, it is:

P. Hunabu Sweetheart x Mambo 'Baldan's Snow King'.

I've never checked for an equestris background but wouldn't be surprised as Baldan's uses equestris in many of its hybrids.

Al

[mehitabel]

Well, I was hoping the name would allow me to flash brilliant by finding some keiki-producing species in the background LOL

Hunabu Sweetheart is the standard amabilis etc mix, so that one isn't doing it.

Mambo is half amboinensis and half mannii. According to Orchid Digest 2002, V. 66, p. 181, mannii does belong to a family that produces basal keikis when mature and also produces terminal inflorescence (I think that was mentioned, but I didn't see it). Here's what OD says about that "If the terminal inflorescence is removed the plant will almost immediately begin sending up multiple new growths from the base".

So the potential for keikis is there.

Actually, I only commented because the statement about "keikis are caused by stress" is asserted unconditionally with such frequency and total confidence that it's practically become an urban legend, but it isn't true. State unconditionally, I think it's very misleading, and contrary to the information provided by species experts in the Orchid Digest 2002 phal issue.

[Bird Song Farm]

I'm not sure where the terminal spike came in but this plant does not have one. A new leaf is showing now.
Al

[mehitabel]

The new leaf is what I thought I saw in your picture. Thanks for confirming.