Keiki Growth straight out of main plant? - Orchid Board

camillenad · #1 10-11-2011, 10:09 AM

ok so i bought this beautiful Phal 2 years ago. It was in bloom but ever since i havent been able to get it to rebloom n its been flowerless for 2 years now.

However a baby keiki started to grow straight off the base of the main plant, as opposed to on a spike. It has some good roots so I just took it off the main plant and replanted the keiki. Im so scared both plants will die, was it a good choice? And why won't by Phal rebloom?

camille1585 · #2 10-11-2011, 11:52 AM

Basal keikis are usually left on the plant since it gives more of a specimen plant look, and the double amount of blooms can be impressive.
As long as you cut off the keiki when it had a good amout of roots (some people say a total length of 5in, others say at least 3 roots of 3in) there's no reason for it to die. Just make sure that it's potted up in a pot that's adapted to its root mass. As for the mother, don't worry, if you made a nice clean cut it will be fine.

As to why the mother is not blooming, you need to give a bit more information about how you grow it. With what/how often do you fertilize? What sort of light is it getting? Are the roots healthy? That way it becomes easier to pinpoint what may be wrong.

camillenad · #3 10-11-2011, 12:02 PM

Camille thanks for the info really appreciate it

I hope both mother and baby survive

As for the mother I actually didn't fertilize it at all the 1st year i got it :/ but now i do once a month with an orchid fertilizer. I grow it next to a windowsill it gets plenty of light, the leaves appear perfectly healthy and so do the roots, its in a clay pot.
I was thinking now that the keiki's off maybe now it can foncus on giving me some flowers

or maybe it doesn't make a difference. Im such an orchid newbie

but so in love !

Zoi2 · #4 10-12-2011, 02:00 AM

Enough light is usually the reason plants don't bloom. What window is the plant next to? Are your leaves bright or dark green?
Joann

camillenad · #5 10-12-2011, 06:05 AM

It's right next to the window receives plenty of light. Leaves are a light green. I will try to post some pics.
CN

camillenad · #6 10-12-2011, 06:12 AM

this is the phal that had a keiki

camille1585 · #7 10-12-2011, 06:18 AM

Do you know which way the window is facing? It does make a difference. For instance a north window may seem bright enough to us, but it is in fact far too little. Seeing how wide the leaf before the new one is, I'm guessing that it may not be getting enough. The plant is also more of a dark green, which can indicate low light, although some Phals are naturally darker.
An east window where it gets a few hours of sun is nice. Depending where you are west or south windows work very well if you keep them out of the direct sunlight or diffuse the sunlight with a sheer curtain or other.

camillenad · #8 10-12-2011, 06:32 AM

mmm then i guess light is the issue, i've changed its place a few times which i know isnt that good. I will go with your advice Camille and change its place to where it might get more light. Thanks for the advice! If i see any new growth i'll post

thanks again..
C.

camille1585 · #9 10-12-2011, 06:39 AM

If you give it some sun, be sure to adjust the plant to it slowly and keep an eye on it. If the leaves start to feel very warm to the touch then it may get sunburn. They seem to really like some direct morning light (but if you are in southern parts of the US that may be too strong)

Moving the plant around isn't a problem, unless it's it's in spike.

camillenad · #10 10-12-2011, 02:18 PM

Will do thank you !