flower spike keiki

[nutgirl]

I have 2 plants both with a keiki forming at the end of the flower spike.

Phalaenopsis kuntrarti rarashati 'Bunker Hill'

Phalaenopsis equestris 'Lynette #4'

Does anyone know if these varieties are prone to do this?

I ask because I've only have experience with basal keikis and was curious.

Maureen

[camille1585]

Congrats on the keikis!!
Phalaenopsis kuntrarti rarashati is a primary hybrid between Phal equestris and Phal venosa. Phal equestris is a species which is well known for it's overly profusive production of keikis, so your plant is genetically hard wired to produce some as well. I have several equestris types that I acquired as keikis from friends, and they bloomed and keikied within months of getting potted up on their own. You'll see, Phal equestris can quickly become an addiction within the addiction. They bloom constantly, and there are so many different forms of it to collect!

Gorgeous blooms by the way! Too bad about the colors being washed out a bit. It looks like you photographed it with a flash? You would get better color results by using natural light. Since I don't have money for fancy photo equipment, I take all my orchid pics by placing my photo set up next to a bright window (no direct sun), and the colors come out fairly accurate that way.

[nutgirl]

Thanks for the info Camille, I'm looking forward to raising the keikis.

I can't remember what I did for the photos, they certainly don't do the blooms justice.
I appreciate the suggestion,I'll give it a try. My camera is not the greatest so I try different things to get the best results.

If I didn't spend all my money on orchids I could get a better one, haha.

Maureen

[camille1585]

My camera is not the greatest either (just a point a shoot), but if you know what its limitations are, and do everything to maximize the chance of a good photo even before taking it (the setup), then usually you can get some good shots.

[Poison Ivy]

Congrats!
they look really cute

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by Poison Ivy

Congrats!
they look really cute

Thanks, they're doing very well.

Maureen

[phalaephila]

I have Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati 'Copperstate', and it grows a keiki at the end of every spike, every time. I've got one growing on now.

Jeanne

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by phalaephila

I have Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati 'Copperstate', and it grows a keiki at the end of every spike, every time. I've got one growing on now.

Thanks Jeanne,

This is the 2nd bloom for me on this one and the first time it has grown a keiki.

When you cut off the keiki (I'm going to wait 'til mine's big enough to pot) does the spike just branch off and keep forming buds or do you cut the spike at the base as is usually done to other Phalaenopsis?

Maureen

[Poison Ivy]

Originally Posted by phalaephila

I have Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati 'Copperstate', and it grows a keiki at the end of every spike, every time. I've got one growing on now.

Jeanne

Do all Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati 'Copperstate' grow keiki? or just yours?
I want a phal that gorws keiki rapidly, because I want to share with friends

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by Poison Ivy

Do all Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati 'Copperstate' grow keiki? or just yours?
I want a phal that gorws keiki rapidly, because I want to share with friends

Excuse me for butting in but the species Phal. equestris is well know for producing keiki's.
It's a small plant and it has loads of blossoms.
Just a suggestion.
Al