keikis on spike that turned yellow...what to do? - Orchid Board

Sandy4453 · #1 11-30-2009, 09:46 PM

I've got a couple of small keikis growing on a spike that's quickly dying...actually, it's pretty much dead now. Has anyone been faced with this before? I suspect the keikis will soon die if I leave the spike up so I was thinking of placing these babies on some spaghnum, nothing to lose at this point, right? Or, does that seem futile, being so young with no roots in sight? Any other suggestions?

Hope everyone had a wonderful

Ross · #2 11-30-2009, 09:49 PM

I wouldn't cut that spike till you're sure the kikis are gonners. Could be the spike stem is still transporting nutrients.

Sandy4453 · #3 11-30-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I wouldn't cut that spike till you're sure the kikis are gonners. Could be the spike stem is still transporting nutrients.

That's why I haven't yet, Ross. But won't the chances of saving the keiki's diminish the longer I keep it on a dead spike?

quiltergal · #4 11-30-2009, 11:08 PM

Sandy is this one of your KeikiPro experiments? I wonder if having too many Keiki's on a single spike stressed the parent and it's now aborting the spike. Maybe next time just apply it to a single node and see if that works. For now leave them be. They have a better chance attached to the parent plant than they do rootless by themselves.

Ross · #5 11-30-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

That's why I haven't yet, Ross. But won't the chances of saving the keiki's diminish the longer I keep it on a dead spike?

If the plantlets don't have viable roots, they probably won't survive on their own, anyway. That's why I recommended waiting. Perhaps they might survice and root if moved to a high humidity environment like a plastic bag (out of direct high light.)

Undergrounder · #6 12-01-2009, 04:48 PM

I'd be more worried about the main plant, it looks dehydrated, are the roots ok? And no doubt the keikis are sapping a lot of energy from the main plant.

I wonder if you cut the spike off whether the keikis will start to form roots. Maybe they will, certainly roots form on much smaller seedlings when they're grown normally.

You could maybe hedge your bets and tie a little very slightly damp sphagnum moss around the base of the seedlings and leave them on the spike. Maybe that will induce some roots out of them before the spike dies off completely. A bit like air-layering.

Sandy4453 · #7 12-01-2009, 10:52 PM

Terri, right you are...one from my KeikiPro experiments. I thought the same thing about applying the stuff to just one node next time. There are several others now growing with multiple keikis but this one took a hit.

Undergrounder, the plant is setback and showing signs of slight decline, one of it's leaf's is crinkled but overall, the plant is still pretty healthy, roots and all. I've had some keikis on other plants (typically on equestris) that grew spikes and even bloomed way before they grew roots and also, much smaller than the largest one in my pic. (I think I may have a pic. I'm going to go look for it and post back here to show you.) I plan (tomorrow morning) to do exactly as you've suggested, by cutting the spike from the main plant and laying the babies on spaghnum.

I'll post updates of it's success once they start rooting!

Thank you for your opinions, everybody!

Sandy4453 · #8 12-01-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

I've had some keikis on other plants (typically on equestris) that grew spikes and even bloomed way before they grew roots and also, much smaller than the largest one in my pic. (I think I may have a pic. I'm going to go look for it and post back here to show you.)

I found the photo! This tiny, itty bitty kieki (Phal be tris) went on to bloom these 2 flowers that lasted a couple of months. This kieki is now growing in a separate pot.

P.S. I can't believe I've hijacked my own thread!

WhiteRabbit · #9 12-01-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

I found the photo! This tiny, itty bitty kieki went on to bloom these 2 flowers that lasted a couple of months. This kieki is now growing in a separate pot.

P.S. I can't believe I've hijacked my own thread!

omg! that's so cute!

Sandy4453 · #10 12-05-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

omg! that's so cute!

I cut the spike off but (of course!) didn't separate it from these kiekis. I don't think they'll make it, I'll be very surprised if they do. They're resting on spagh. which I'll soak up, not water into. That black spot on the largest kieki is bothering me....