Keikis...
 

What is the best way to get keikis on a flower spike without using Keiki paste or anything of that sort?

Is it best to leave the spike or cut to a node after flowering would doing this induce a keiki?

Thanks,

yaffle :)

Assuming you are talking about a Phal, If you want a keiki you'll want to leave the spike. Try peeling away the papery bract (at the nodes below the first bud scar). Be careful to not damage the dormant bud. Sometimes just exposing them to light will trigger growth. May turn out to be another spike, though.

I've read about some people having success, cuting the spike after the flowering and placing the the lil spiker in a vase with water with very low lighting. Apparently it takes a couple of months.

I've try this and it didn't work, the spike went bad on me after 2weeks into it.
I'm guessing timing is important :hmm

What about try phals that have the tendencey to keiki?
Of course assuming your talking about a phal ;)

The best way I've found to get keikis is to own a plant that is prone to growing them genetically... :) I have a Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati which grows a keiki on every older bloom spike. Looks like my Phal. Fantasy Musick may be growing a couple as well. Both of these are Phal. equestris hybrids.

Jeanne

I agree. So far, the only ones I have which keiki freely are Phal. equestris hybrids. The other ones don't do much for me, since usually their spikes start to dry up as soon as the last blooms.Some people on the board have applied keiki paste on nodes with some success. Your can search OB for threads on it.
Here's a link to get you started:
Keiki paste

Why don't you want to use paste? It's great stuff.

I have a question though, what is the main difference between keiki paste and keiki pro (besides the price, thank you...) ? and which would you recommend using?

Thank you guys!

there is keikigrow and keikipro- both totally unrelated.
The thing is you need to know what hormones are being used so you dont mix them up with another type!
I have bought keikigrow on the recommendations of other members, I have yet to use it, so I will let you know :)

Some orchids have the natural tendency to keiki- others not so much, and will do so for various reasons-
Good luck and have fun :)


There is no guarantee that the paste will work for you every single time, it will depend on several factors.

:twocents: <--- No more orchid funds for a while...lol

yaffle :lol:

Also...

Thanks for the replys everyone! :D

I'll leave the spikes when the flowers drop and see what happens...

Has anyone managed to get a keiki from placing the spike in water? My last one went mouldy after a week...

yaffle :D