Keiki formation

[Kelo]

How soon after the formation of a keiki will it be seen to be that? There are a few of my developing 'keikis' that look as if they are going to be spikes so I was wondering when it will be obvious it's actually a keiki that is developing.

[Val]

The tip of a spike is always round - that tiny terminal bud. But if the growth is a keiki, when leaves begin to differentiate you will notice their pointy shape. With my P. veitchiana X equestris, this took almost one month, but there were 14 keikis simultaneously and they might have grown slower than just one or two.

[Kelo]

Thank you, Val. In that case I have many keikis and a few spikes by the looks of things at present.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by Kelo

Thank you, Val. In that case I have many keikis and a few spikes by the looks of things at present.

Would love to see a picture.

[Val]

It gets even better: the keikis are likely to grow their own spikes in less than 6 months.
With my Phal., I cut (and potted) 9 out of 14 keikis, but the 5 left on the mother plant are growing 7 spikes, and the first buds look like they will open in less than 2 weeks. Quite a show.

[Kelo]

Brilliant! I have a problem with macro - hand shake - but I'll try to post some pics.