a strange new development

[johnblagg]

I have several phals that have basal kekies too and in fact new nubs right now on several that I am waiting to see if they are new basal growths or ....perhaps spikes.

They are outside early this year in this wonderfull early spring and this winter inside recieved a lot of extra lighting they have not had previously.

I am waiting to see just what does develope with this one and will definatly keep posting pics as it develops.....

[Duane McDowell]

Some individual plants do this more often than others. Pay attention to where roots start emerging from - plants that split often start sending the bulk of their roots out from the point where the new crowns have formed. In that case, once the growths have gotten big enough, it can be advantageous to remove the leaves below the split and repot the plant so that new roots will emerge into medium. Otherwise, all the roots end up aerial, where they don't get the water and nutrients they need, and the plant starts to decline.
The cool thing is that a plant that tends to do this can grow into an awesome specimen!

[sweetjblue]

Really interesting! I've also seen some like the one Terri posted, which is what I orginally thought you were talking about but yours looks like it decided to just split on its own. Wouldn't it be fantastic if each crown ended up with multiple spikes?

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by sweetjblue

Really interesting! I've also seen some like the one Terri posted, which is what I orginally thought you were talking about but yours looks like it decided to just split on its own. Wouldn't it be fantastic if each crown ended up with multiple spikes?

Yes that would be sooo great ....it is definatly not a basal kekies but either the crown is splitting into two new crowns or its a deformity of some kind going on with the leaves.....

I am hoping for a double crown but we have to wait and see what it decides to do in the end...

THe previous leaf before this happend was also deformed a bit and was split into a mitten shape I took a few pics today and will post what I am talking about soon to show everyone.

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by Duane McDowell

Some individual plants do this more often than others. Pay attention to where roots start emerging from - plants that split often start sending the bulk of their roots out from the point where the new crowns have formed. In that case, once the growths have gotten big enough, it can be advantageous to remove the leaves below the split and repot the plant so that new roots will emerge into medium. Otherwise, all the roots end up aerial, where they don't get the water and nutrients they need, and the plant starts to decline.
The cool thing is that a plant that tends to do this can grow into an awesome specimen!

well if it was basal kekies you would be correct but this is not a basal kekie ...


as for areial roots not getting water and nutrients ....not at all true in this case it sits under a tree all summer and gets bird poop anb dust from the farms plus the rain fall and dew ....in addition to a good spray at least once a week ...it also has a massive root system both in the pot and in the air and all do their fair share ..in fact I would say with just arieal roots in the spot it is it would just keep on growing just as it would in the wild on a tree trunk.

[johnblagg]

Updated pics she has a second leaf emerging now on one side of the Twins....looks like she may produce two crowns naturally this one is making me very happy.

[Autumn Child]

Wow! congrads to you John. I wish mine could do that. Now when can I get my own unique specimen? I am just strugling to get the basic right and get it to rebloom...