Phal Keiki

[AnnieW]

, I have three phals which I bought when I was in Hawaii, a year and a half ago. 2 white and one purple. I must be doing things right, because they have kept blooming and growing ever since. I have one that has a new spike and is about to bloom at this time. It is much smaller then the other two. I really don't like how it's leaves are looking. Not as many leaves as the others, and much smaller leaves as well. Another one has grown a keiki on an old spike. It has four two inch roots. When should I put it in it's own pot? Also the other is growing another spike off of the old. I repotted them about three months ago. Except for the one that is in bloom having small leaves everything else seems to be okay. Any input on any of these would be appreciated. Thanks!

[neb]

The longer you leave the kiekie on the mother plant the bigger it will get and the sooner it will be able to bloom on its own. As long as the mother is strong and healthy there is no need to cut it off right away. With four two inch roots it sound as though it could be potted on its own when ever you want to. but that is just my

[AnnieW]

Thanks Neb for the reply, I think I will leave it on the stem for now. The main plant looks good. It is growing new happy roots all the time. It must like being a mother! I think the other plant I spoke of which had the small leaves and just doesn't look quite right, (but is blooming,) is getting a case of root rot. I am in the process of drying it out and waiting to see what will happen. I have done this before and the plant snaps back. Wish me luck!

[camille1585]

Congrats on the keiki! Those are always fun to have on phals! If the keiki has well developed leaves along with those roots, you can remove it whenever you want. Sometimes it's better to remove it as soon as it's big enough to live on it's own, because it's taking a lot of energy from the mother plant. But since you say your plant is happy and healthy, I don't think there's any harm in leaving it a few more weeks

[brush]

One of my phals produced a keiki , it is growing but still no sign of roots yet. It has been that way for months now . The mother plant is very healthy and happy but still waiting for the roots to delevop on the baby. I have had other keikis growing from some of my phals and they did not take very long to make roots at all on them.