How big before a Phal keiki blooms?

[cb977]

Apparently not very big at all!

This is my Phal equestris 'Three Times A Lady x Blue Too' which was a gift from Gin a few years ago and is almost never out of bloom. The last cycle gave me two spikes and each one had three branches grow off it. Now, five of those six have keikis growing and there are two new spikes full of buds getting ready to start the show again.

While watering today, I notice "something" behind the leaf on one of the keikis...lo and behold...a bud!

The pictures show (in order) the whole plant, then one side, then the other side and the last photo is of the keiki growing a bud. The largest root is about 1/4" long and the only other root is less than half that! The only thing showing is the green tip!

If I had to leave my house and could only take one chid, this is the one

I'd hate to leave any of the Chocolate Drops but this baby must endure!