Hey, my Phal. has 2 keikis, what next? - Orchid Board

Queenslander · #1 10-25-2010, 05:11 AM

Hey, my Phal. has 2 keikis, what next?-img_1263-1-jpg

After successfully using Keiki paste, these 2 new keikis are forming. I first applied the paste on 7th Sept. and boy have these babies come on. What happens next. How do I separate these babies? Where do I cut the stem to pot off the keikis? Can you help this newbie orchid lover. I am rapt. The stem won't die if the flowers die, will it?

Jennyfleur · #2 10-25-2010, 05:20 AM

Well, done

Some of the important things to keep in mind is that a keiki needs to establish itself before it's separated from the mother plant. Usually, the rule of thumb is to allow for at least 3inches of root to grow before it is separated. Once this is done, you can cut the stem maybe half an inch/ an inch or so either side of the base and re-pot

Another thing to keep in mind (with multiple keikis I believe), is to keep an eye on the mother plant and make sure she stays healthy. It takes a lot of energy to support one keiki, let alone two, so make sure Mamma is in good health and then the babies will stay healthy.

Hope that helps some - good luck

PS I just read your last question - How many flowers do you have left? Obviously, supporting flowers will also drain the plant's energy. You could cut the remaining flowers and put them in a vase so the focus is on keiki growth but, if not, just keep an eye on plant health again.

camille1585 · #3 10-25-2010, 03:18 PM

Sorry to say that those look more like spikes, and not keikis.

Royal · #4 10-25-2010, 03:20 PM

Yup, more spikes.

Jennyfleur · #5 10-25-2010, 03:33 PM

Hmm, after a look, I think you might both be right. I didn't actually look at the picture, I just took it as a given and typed away this morning!! Sorry, that'll teach me to look next time!

Queenslander · #6 10-25-2010, 06:46 PM

Darn, I thought this was too good to be true. As I'm new to the orchid world, I did as I was told to with the paste, and thought they had produced babies. Thank you all for your comments.

camille1585 · #7 10-26-2010, 05:13 AM

At least you know that the paste worked. Keiki paste wakes up the nodes , but there's no guarantee that keikis is what you'll get.

If you decide to try again in the future, if you get keikis they will look much more compact, and you would see the beginnings of a leaf very quickly, even before it gets to the size of the spikes you got this time.

Paul Mc · #8 10-26-2010, 08:56 AM

I currently have a keiki on my phal. I did not use paste though, and my "method" involved the mother plant almost dying. I don't recommend it. That being said, I am wondering a few things.

The mother seems to be holding on though she is looking a little rough. Any suggestions on how to care for her through this stressful time?

Also, I've heard it said that you should place a baby with the mother for at least a year when ready to plant as the mother helps regulate the humidity for the newborn. Is this a myth or fact?

Jennyfleur · #9 10-26-2010, 10:56 AM

Hey Paul, One thing you could do is reduce the amount of light if the plant/s are in a high light zone. Nothing too dark, but more shaded.

Do you use a fertilser? If not, you could go down the 'weakly weekly' route which'll give the plant a bit more of a boost but not so much to be poisonous.

Also, I regularly use a mister on my phals with or without keikis (only a fine mist thought, nothing that will cause standing water on the leaves/ crown)

I've never heard the 'put the keiki with the mother' before. All I can say is that, plants do like being in groups (so maybe that's where it comes form!). However, there are other ways you can raise or regulate humidity, like misting or placing trays of wet pebbles around the plants so the evaporated water surrounds them.

Queenslander · #10 10-27-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

At least you know that the paste worked. Keiki paste wakes up the nodes , but there's no guarantee that keikis is what you'll get.

If you decide to try again in the future, if you get keikis they will look much more compact, and you would see the beginnings of a leaf very quickly, even before it gets to the size of the spikes you got this time.

Thanks Camille. Will try again when the flowers have finally finished and the temp. is warm.