Everyone should have this problem right?
 

I have a question regarding one of my phals ...

Back in May I purchased a mericlone of Dtps. Jim 'Brennan's Orchids' AM/AOS.
It is a gorgeous red color which filled in my dozen +/- "small" collection nicely.
The plant arrived very healthy with one small keiki! Alas, there was no spike.
I repotted the plant and placed it in the greenhouse. I use KLN whenever I repot at half the recommended strength. I have used none since.
I water as needed which is about every three days and only fertilize once about every ten days with half strength "r/o fertilizer" + half strength Superthrive.
Otherwise they get straight r/o water...anything more will get salt build up.

The plant has grown one additional leaf and now has another coming :biggrin:...no spike yet.
The plant has grown tons of new roots :biggrin:...no spike yet.
The problem: I have SIX basal keiki AT LEAST on this plant now :shock: ...no spike yet :(( :((

My concern is that the energy of this plant is getting misdirected. Don't get me wrong, I like one or two keiki to fill out the plant and make it specimen-like but what I really would like are some flowers :hello
Furthermore, I am concerned the mother plant will begin to fail with all these "parasites" :gasp:

I'd appreciate all thoughts and suggestions to get this plant back on track.

Eyebabe,

while Dtps are part of the phal family they do like alittle more light than regular phals and they like to dry out alittle more too (but not totally dry).
I don't think this is the time of year for it to spike either. You might find spikes come fall when the temps start to fall. Your keikis are just a sign right now that the plant is happy and is also part of this plants genetics.
As we tell everyone else , but often forget ourselves...patience!

And if you need to get rid of some of those keikis, I know where you can send one of them!;)

Judi

I agree, I will definitely be a foster mom too if they can be separated. And yes, we should all have this problem.

Forgot to add:

"The plant has grown one additional leaf and now has another coming ...no spike yet.
The plant has grown tons of new roots ...no spike yet.
The problem: I have SIX basal keiki AT LEAST on this plant now ...no spike yet "

With all this going on with your plant, it is most defintely in it's growth period as most phals are right now. Spikes should be along soon. :)

Judi

So would anyone recommend removing any of the keiki?
Should I leave the nutrient deliver schedule the same?

Eyebabe,

Since your plant seems very happy right now and in its growth cycle, personally I'd only remove the keikis if they had enough roots to do so. 2-3 roots each that are 2-3 inches or longer in length.
Your keikis are a natural product of your plant, if it weren't able to support the keikis it wouldn't grow them. Very different than if this was a result of using Keiki Pro/ Paste.
Keep up with your regular watering and ferts, but like I said you may want to let it dry out just a bit more. Dtps do tend to like it a bit drier.:)

Judi

Thanks everyone :)

don't know about removing basal keikis - I don't think they come off as easily as keikis on spikes, or if it's recommended to try to remove them ? (My only experience with a basal keiki is from a crown rotted Phal)

I don't know if what your plant is doing is a problem or not - but maybe stop the superthrive and see how that goes

Can we see a photo?

What makes you think the keikis could possibly weaken the mother plant? They aren't parasites in any sense. All those healthy leaves ADD just as much strength to the plant as any equivalent leaf surface, and basal keikis give many more points where new roots or spikes might form. If there is any problem at all they are a symptom not a cause, and a symptom that actually makes the plant stronger in the long run. It would make just as much sense to cut off the roots, since they aren't the flowers you want either. Cut back on fertilizer a bit, especially nitrogen. When the plant is ready to switch to reproductive growth from the current abundant vegetative growth you could have a dozen spikes at once.

Dtps. Jim is (Dor. pulcherrima x Phal. venosa)
pulcherrima has a great tendency to generate basal offshoots, so maybe your plant just takes after momma.

Here you go!
There are four on your left and one around the side on the right :biggrin:

Totally neat. Thanks. Great looking plant by the way.