Phal lueddemaniana var delicata - keikii

[Brenda Aarts]

A couple of pictures of a new one that I had ordered. I've recently become interested in phal species so my order consisted largely of them. I have noticed that it is quite common for phal species to form keikiis (as on this one) is there something that triggers this to happen? Or is it a normal occurance in the wild? This one has 2 flowers from the Keikii. My next question is that I'm tempted to cut off the keikii and plant seperately because I don't want the roots to dry out, should I? Any advice/opinions are appreciated. Thanks.

[orchidsarefun]

1) you cut the keiki from the mother plant and pot it up. The apparent rule is that keiki roots should be at least 2 inches long
or
2) you pot up the keiki while still attached to the mother plant and "nick" the attachment. Then as the keiki grows you carry on with the nick until the keiki is completely severed.
Either way:
1) you let us know what happened
2) you mail the keiki to me

[FairyInTheFlowers]

That has plenty enough roots to survive on it's own, and that kieki is so large that it probably could have been detached months ago! Also, I am so in line for a kieki! (it rocks to be a Canadian!)

[Brenda Aarts]

Yes, the roots are long and I'm surprised that the vendor did not remove keiki prior to filling my order, maybe it was a bonus for ordering a million dollars worth of plants.

Ok, so, consensus is....remove from mother plant...will do....sorry, but my dad is first in line. He's the one who encouraged this crazy hobby/addiction. Do species send out more keikis than hybrids? My understanding is that if it forms a keiki it is lacking something ...and keikis rather than blooms, is that correct or no?

[orchidsarefun]

interesting to get other input on that.
I have read about equestris producing keiki's ( mine hasn't yet ), my lueddemanniana has one and then I have a primary hybrid that has produced one. My keiki's were not produced at the end, or otherwise, of a spike. Both grew from the side of the mother plant. Just remembered my Mannii also has a keiki - again more of a sideshoot. So that's 3 sideshoots.

[Lana]

Some species are prone to producing keikis. Hybrids with these species in background can produce keiki freely, too. On the other hand, keikis are sometimes produced by the sick plant as an attempt to reproduce and save itself this way.

[WhiteRabbit]

Awesome!
Yes, some species are just keiki makers - if the parent plant looks healthy and happy, I wouldn't suspect any type of stress triggered the keiki.

[Wynn Dee13]

I would think if a Phal puts out a keiki and the mother plant is healthy then it is just a species that is prone to making keikis. In that case I wouldn't worry that its a sign of the plant being in poor health. Many species do make more keikis than hybrids. If the Phal is sick looking and then puts out a keiki then you know it is growing the keiki as a last resort. If the plant puts out a basal keiki (a keiki growing off the side of the main plant and not from a spike) I would leave it on. Then you would have a nice specimen with lots of flowers. Some people do keep keikis attatched to the mother even if it is growing from the spike and they can be quite impressive too. I saw a Phal parishii plant somewhere online that was mounted and it had tons of keikis. The owner just left them on the mother plant and it got quite large. It was beautiful with all the plants in bloom!

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

Some people do keep keikis attatched to the mother even if it is growing from the spike and they can be quite impressive too. I saw a Phal parishii plant somewhere online that was mounted and it had tons of keikis. The owner just left them on the mother plant and it got quite large. It was beautiful with all the plants in bloom!

If I had 30 or so orchids (a managable number) and was able to pay more attention and mist the bare roots...etc...then I would leave them be as I think they look nice hanging off mom. That is not the case though, so i will plant separately. Thanks for the input all.

[sweetjblue]

Very nice plant Brenda!

Lueddemanianas are know for making keikis, some clones more than others. I've been told that if you leave the keiki on the mother, your plant will be more prone to flower. Taking the keiki, off the mother plant is more likely to keiki again.

Judi