Jackpot!

[Sandy4453]

I had just mentioned the other day, in another thread that the only time I keep the spikes on Phals after the flowers are spent is to (hopefully) get a kieki which, I still haven't been lucky enough to have happen. Though I'm sure it's better than finding a newbie with one already on a spike, I'm pretty excited here about the one I found today at Home Depot. I picked this one out because of the flowers first, not seeing the kieki so, I'm doubly thrilled, it's a double hitter! And, it's also growing another spike.

And I just couldn't pass up this cute little mini peloric Phal.

I have no clue how to remove the kieki when the time comes, there's one very established root. Can anyone tell me when and how to remove it? I've always read, at least 3 roots, 2-3 inches but other than this, how? Do I just cut the spike above and below and pot it?

Thanks for looking and sharing in my excitement!

[dgenovese1]

Hi Sandy...the blooms are beautiful...and congratulations on your new litter of phals.

When the keiki has three good roots growing on it, you can safely remove it by cutting the stem it is growing on just below where it is attached. I know this destroys the old spike, but it is the only way I know of removing a phal keiki without damaging the new roots. If there is stem above the keiki, you can just cut that off too.

I hope this helps...and if not, maybe someone else can help with another suggestion.

[flhiker]

Great find. Very healthy looking plants. If your lucky enough to get there just after they restock the store you can find some nice stuff. I always check them out.

[camille1585]

Very nice find!! I've never seen phals with keikis in any store.
I also remove keikis in the same way. Cut the spike above and below,(I dab cinnamon on the cuts to be extra careful) and repot the keiki. One thing I noticed is that potted keikis seem to do better if you keep them on the dry side. I was watering normally at first, and seeing signs of rot. Their roots are essentially aerial roots, and not yet adapted to humid mediums. I picked up on the watering once new roots showed up.

[Sandy4453]

Thanks David. I could care less about cutting the spike when the times comes. In fact, I'm hoping the spike doesn't grow any buds. I just want that kieki to derive all the benefits possible!!!!

Camille, great point to remember about their roots. Have got to start out slowly with the watering once I pot it. I may have overlooked this. Thank you!

[WhiteRabbit]

Sandy
I have in the past just twisted the keiki off of the stem. You can also carefully cut them off of them stem (haven't done that myself)
Nice looking phals and congrats on the bonus keiki!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by flhiker

Great find. Very healthy looking plants. If your lucky enough to get there just after they restock the store you can find some nice stuff. I always check them out.

I know Dave. Thursdays in spring/summer in this part of town, means a routine trip to check out the new inventory. Gotta get there early but soooooo worth it!

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Sandy
I have in the past just twisted the keiki off of the stem. You can also carefully cut them off of them stem (haven't done that myself)
Nice looking phals and congrats on the bonus keiki!

Twisting, Nicole? That sounds very scary! I was planning on just cutting the spike above and below and treating the cuts. You're brave!!!! I'm not!!!!

[WhiteRabbit]

LOL
they actually have been pretty easy to remove this way for me ...