Den. kingianum kiekie

[ryrycochinco]

I have a den kingianum that has many kiekies. I've heard that they can flower on the mother plant prematurely. I have made a list of questions below :rof

1) Is this premature blooming only possible while attached to the mother plant?.
2) After the kiekie has bloomed while attached to it's mother plant, can it be separated and bloom on it's own, is it blooming size?
3) Could I just leave them on or will they eventually fall off?

[keithrs]

Originally Posted by ryrycochinco

1) Is this premature blooming only possible while attached to the mother plant?.

No...... I have removed keiki's and had them bloom the first year

Originally Posted by ryrycochinco

2) After the kiekie has bloomed while attached to it's mother plant, can it be separated and bloom on it's own, is it blooming size?

Yes....

Originally Posted by ryrycochinco

3) Could I just leave them on or will they eventually fall off?

They should be removed because they will draw energy from the mother plant and it my not flower as well the next year. You'll know when they are ready because you pull down on the keiki it will come off easy. Make sure they have good roots before removing them.

[WhiteRabbit]

good to know

I have keikis starting new growth at the base on my kingi, but roots don't do too well in the dry summers here, so they have never grown what would seem to be sufficient roots to remove them

[Paul Mc]

Indeed, that is very good to know. My Kingianum has a new keiki almost every day it seems, lol...

However, I was under the understanding that you could leave the keiki's on without harm to the mother plant. Is that wrong? I know they are a drain on other species of orchids but someone here had mentioned leaving them on. I guess I just assumed that they were fine as was until they dropped on their own. I believe that person said she/he doesn't take them off at all.

[keithrs]

You can leave them on if you so desire. The keiki will draw energy from the mother plant in order to bloom and grow..... especially if your keiki doesn't have good roots.

I'm always in the mood for trading for ones I don't have......

[keithrs]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

good to know

I have keikis starting new growth at the base on my kingi, but roots don't do too well in the dry summers here, so they have never grown what would seem to be sufficient roots to remove them

I have very dry summers too. humidity is commonly below 20%. What I do is, Once the keiki has about 3 or more 3/4 - 1" roots with green tips, pull it off and pot it in a moisture retaining mix in a 2" pot and water it twice a week. This works very well for me!! Be careful not to damage the new roots.