Spikes and keikis - Orchid Board

reinbo15 · #1 11-21-2007, 02:35 PM

I have just had my 2nd phal in just a couple of months abort spike and begin a basal keiki instead. Does anyone know what could be causing this? I was so happy to have the second chance at blooming a plant on my own, FINALLY, and this happened again. I was told the last time that it was because the temperatures were too warm. This second plant is getting much more light that the first one, and much cooler temperatures around my drafty window here in Michigan. Could it have gotten TOO cold? SO frustrating! Help!

Tsuchibuta · #2 11-21-2007, 03:01 PM

What kind of Phals do you have? Some species are notorious for keiki's. My Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana has had as many as 4 keiki's at one time and I'm told that is normal for that species.. that's why I bought it and it smells wonderful too. Orchids magazine did a 4 month article on Phals at the beginning of the year and from their study it seemed that cold weather causes them to flower and warm weather to keiki, especially if the weather is above 90. (Mine however began spiking when they were 100 and outside last summer) If I remember correctly from what I have read in my research to promote keikis it has to do when the bud is formed on the plant which could have been a few months ago and the bud was just latent until this point. Are you using any plant hormones or supplements? I'm more intrigued that you have been able to get keiki's to grow, I try to induce mine and all get is more flower spikes. (I don't have enough free time to constantly reflask stem props.. tried it a few times not greatly successful due to phelenic extrusions)

GreggC · #3 11-22-2007, 07:36 PM

cases, keikis can be caused just from stressing the plant. Most of the time it happens, it is unintentional. It works with other plants, so why not orchids? I know that for instance, if you stress hot peppers, it makes them hotter!

reinbo15 · #4 11-28-2007, 02:28 PM

One is a Phal Brother Apollo, and the other is a NOID. The NOID that started a keiki appears to be taking another shot at spiking from a node on the other side of the plant. I have a second Phal Brother Apollo that had the beginning of a spike a while back that I thought had blasted, but is now elongating. We'll see.