Phal Propagation Question

[labyrinth1959]

I recently read an article that suggested that a new Phal could be propagated by a certain treatment on a flower stem section. I'm quite curious about this. Can this actually be done and if so how would you go about doing it effectively. How long would it take to actually have a leafing plant?

[Ryan Young]

Interesting read: T

You can also read up on keiki paste.
After successful application, probably 6 months to a year before you could have a plantlet with inch or longer roots.


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[tucker85]

Yes it can be done. There are products like Keiki Paste and Keiki Pro that contain compounds that encourage the formation of keikis. When a keiki develops, you'll need to wait until you get 2-3 roots about 3" long before you remove the plant from the flower spike. That could take a year or more but might happen faster, depending on how fast the plant is growing. Keikis can develop on a flower spike or at the base of the plant. I don't recommend removing keikis that come from the base of the plant (basal keikis), but the ones on a flower spike can either be removed or left in place until the spike turns brown. That could be a couple years.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I am still working through appropriate "how to" suggestions regarding the proper use of keiki-inducing pastes and sprays. The product I have is a green lanolin-based paste from Plant Hormones Canada (you can get it through Repotme.com). No real instructions are provided, though the repotme.com website does link to some articles on the product, with some instructions.

What I have been told by other hobbyists, but have yet to verify:
1. Best to try this on a flower spike that is finished blooming and has gone for a while without trying to grow a new flowering branch from the flower stem. Otherwise, you will get a new flower spike, not a keiki. (not fully verified, but all attempts by me to make keikis on spikes that have not lost all flowers have resulted in side flower spikes,not keikis).
2. Plant should be quite healthy (this just makes sense to me).
3. Keiki production is best if the plant is kept in dim light relative to the usual light requirements. (Not yet verified, but I am keeping plants that I am trying to make keikis on in dim light).
4. Keiki formation is best from nodes on the lower half of the flower stem (This is also what I am trying, though still not verified).

I would be very interested in hearing what techniques others have successfully tried in order to get new keikis from their flower stems.

[lcarmer]

Thank you for posting this! I've been curious about Phal propagation as well. Is it possible to do without keiki paste?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by lcarmer

Thank you for posting this! I've been curious about Phal propagation as well. Is it possible to do without keiki paste?

Sometimes Phals, Dendrobiums, Vandas and a few others spontaneously make keikis. If you are trying to induce keiki formation, my understanding is that some plant hormone 'help' is needed to start the process (hence the keiki paste or spray).

I am still not having much luck producing Phalaenopsis keikis (see earlier post on thread). I am still getting only extra induced flower spikes. 'How-to' suggestions from successful keiki producers would be appreciated!