Air layering phal spikes?

[BikerDoc5968]

I have personally never done any air layering with deciduous greenery. I do believe when this is done, a cut is made into the side of the material to be rooted and sometimes the addition of a rooting hormone is used. For Phal spikes, I doubt it will work because the spike itself is not like that of shrubs, etc. I have used keiki paste and used at the proper time on a flower node, it will generate a new plant... just my thoughts, not they are worth even the 2 cents!

[Kelo]

LOL all information is gratefully received. When do you apply the keiki paste to the (3rd?) node?

[BikerDoc5968]

You select a node that never produced a flower. The specific node isn't important. What is important is your timing. In the fall of the year when temperatures are in flux, Phals set spikes rather than produce new leaf growth. In the spring with more stable warm temperatures they change over to growing new leaves. This is the time you want to apply keiki paste. Select one or two nodes, very carefully remove the outer sheath covering the actual node by making a slit off center and apply a liberal amount of paste. Reapply the paste every week to 10 days.

[Kelo]

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

Reapply the paste every week to 10 days? (do you mean 10 weeks?).

Brilliant, thank you for the info. How long do you do this part for? Several weeks?

[BikerDoc5968]

No, I mean every week to 10 days for about 2 to 3 weeks. If at that time you don't see a keiki, you probably won't.

[Kelo]

Ah! OK, I'll do that when my paste arrives later this week. Do they need additional heat or just what they normally get?

[BikerDoc5968]

Nothing else needs to be done... just your normal care. I will take about 2 to 3 weeks before much happens. You should see a swelling at the node and then very small leaves. It will take several MONTHS before new roots form. Don't even think of removing it until you have at lease 3 roots about 2" to 3" (5 to 7 cm). Then I cut the spike to which the keiki is attached, removing most of the old spike. I do not try to remove the keiki from the spike. Plant the entire keiki up to the bottom leaf and grow it like any other Phal.

[Kelo]

Fabulous! Thank you very much for the information. I've never tried this before and I do love a challenge. Are hybrids better at producing keikis or is it down to the individual plant be it species of hybrids?

[BikerDoc5968]

Don't know the answer to that question... sorry

[Kelo]

OK, no worries. Thank you again.