Phal. braceana - What is this? - Orchid Board

coffeecup · #1 10-09-2013, 07:58 PM

I haven't had this plant very long, but its growing a couple things off the base of the plant. I can't decide if they're basal keikis or spikes. Any thoughts?

RandomGemini · #2 10-09-2013, 08:07 PM

Is it possible for you to circle which things you're talking about in the photos? What I'm seeing looks like new growth on a root and a cut spike.

coffeecup · #3 10-09-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Is it possible for you to circle which things you're talking about in the photos? What I'm seeing looks like new growth on a root and a cut spike.

I would if I knew how! One of them is in between the two bottom leaves on the left. The other is in between the very short roots to the right. Hope that helps. It doesn't have any cut spikes too.

Island Girl · #4 10-13-2013, 09:58 AM

I think it looks like a basal kieke, I had a phal that has grown one recently, and it looked similar, but it was a novelty hybrid type... Not sure if that makes a difference? If so, I guess we will have to wait and see...

The growth looks like it almost has the typical "mitten" shape, but has been deflated (kinda like a deflated baloon, if that makes sense?), as opposed to when the tissue is full, thick and taut around the end of the 'mitten'... And that's the way my recent basal kieke grew/looked - like a deflated mitten (it started/grew on a spike, for a few millimeters, then turned into a leaf/kieke). Lol, geez, I hope that made sense to you, or someone else, and not just to me! Haven't had my coffee yet..

MattWoelfsen · #5 10-13-2013, 10:37 AM

Hi coffeecup, I took the liberty of copying one of your photos and circled what I think you are talking about. I blew it up and I think it is a keiki as postulated by Islandgirl.

coffeecup · #6 10-13-2013, 10:47 AM

Thanks you guys! I have to figure out how to do that, Matt. There's also another one directly left of that circle too. They are starting to look more like basal keikis now that they've been growing more.

I am planning on mounting this one in the spring. It should make for a nice mount!

MattWoelfsen · #7 10-13-2013, 12:08 PM

Yes, now that I have a reference point, I do see the other keiki. Wow! That is going to be a beautiful mounted Phal.

I do practically every thing on my iPad--I use the "Skitch" app to edit your photo and then "Tapatalk" to post it back. It sounds harder than it really is.

BTW coffeecup, I'm really enjoying my three Phals from you. The Phal. Germaine has a flower bud. The Phal. equestris with the keiki continues to develop its flower spike and I can see four potential flower buds. The Phal. Nobby's Fox is just sitting there very healthy and growing roots and lengthening leaves. Did I thank you for these plants?

coffeecup · #8 10-13-2013, 12:35 PM

Ah ok, I'll have to look into that app. And yes, you did thank me. Glad you like them! I've cut back on my Phals and Catts, and mainly just keeping Neos. I did keep most of my Phal species though.