Where can I find some kei-kei hormone

[Ethan]

Originally Posted by beanluc

So does anyone think it's healthy enough to yield a keiki before it dies? If there's a way to save a plant from crown rot, I'd think one would want to focus on healing that instead of forcing an additional drain upon the plant's resources. And if there's not a cure for crown rot, I wouldn't expect a keiki to develop enough to survive the parent.

What do others think?

BL

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. The crown rot is actually under control. It happened almost a full year ago and I lost the top two leaves of the plant. The rot is completely gone, but obviously the damage has been done and it won't grow any new leaves. There are only four leaves left and one flower spike that is about 3 feet long (it keeps growing new flowers at the end of the spike). This is why I wanted to try some hormone...it doesn't want to make any kei-kis on it's own so I think it needs a little help.

[Jkelee]

Good luck Ethan!!!
Gloria, I haven't tried it yet, keep forgetting!

[quiltingwacko]

Ethan Perhaps you could ask the question on the phaleonopsis forum, referring to phals instead of keikis, and get some help with improving the health of the chid, if it can be done. Carol

[BikerDoc5968]

As Jackie and Gloria have directed you, I purchased this lanolin-based paste about 2 yrs ago from the same vendor in Canada. Like so many things with orchids, timing is everything! You can't apply the paste when a spike is actively growing what it is supposed to grow.....FLOWERS! You have to wait at least a week or MORE before appling or else, in my experience, you will only generate a new side spike. So to your question, "Does it work?" A picture is worth lots of words. While the 1st on is hard to appreciate, it is a multiple head growing off an old spike.

[Ethan]

Wow, doc - I would say it does work!! Thanks for the pictures!

My question for you, then, is this: the spike has been growing new flowers for almost a year with rests inbetween. No branching, it just gets longer. A week ago the end of the spike just started growing again (about 4 new buds so far). Should I cut the spike below the first flower, wait a week, and then use the paste? It honestly doesn't seem like it's ever going to stop growing!!!

[BikerDoc5968]

I assume this is a phal... and not a sequencial paph. Cutting the spike won't "fake out" the plant. Hopefully at some time soon the plant will stop producing new buds and about a week to 10 days after the last flower begins looking "old", open one of the flower scars and paste it up!

[Becky15349]

Interesting thread!!! I've been wanting to try keiki paste, but I only have 1 phal and don't really have a need to. Has anyone ever tried keiki paste with other genra? I have mostly catts - what happens when you put it on a catt? LOL

[BikerDoc5968]

They grow hair or get another life

I've tried it on the new eyes that are reluctant to grow and it seems to make a difference....sort of...

[Ethan]

LOL you guys are too funny...

Thanks for the info doc....yes it is a phal. I will just be patient. I guess I'll just have to enjoy those flowers for another 4-5 months! LOL

[MurCurY]

what hormone is in this paste? anyone know concentrations?