Need help with growing (possible) keiki - Orchid Board

JamesEG · #1 06-19-2013, 02:42 PM

Hi everyone, in the last week or so a node at the top of a flower spike on one of my Mum's orchids has started growing. I don't have a clue yet if it's a keiki or another flower spike. But if it's a keiki is there any special treatment the orchid should get to help it grow or anything?
Also if it is a new plant do I just wait for a bit until it has a couple of leaves and fairly long roots, and then plant it in a small pot with fine bark?

Thanks

WhiteRabbit · #2 06-19-2013, 08:05 PM

You can spitz water on the roots if you think they need it. Leave it on the parent until there's at LEAST three inches total of roots. Can stay on longer/indefinitely if both the keiki and parent are doing fine.

JamesEG · #3 06-20-2013, 04:23 AM

Okay thanks very much for the help Sonya

konest · #4 07-03-2013, 06:58 PM

I have 3 keiki on a 3-year old Phalaenopsis. One of which bloomed today.
I haven't separated any of them from the parent plant yet. Just like Sonya said, I will wait until they're grown longer roots.

Funny thing is that the parent plant is white but keiki flower is pink/purple.
There is also a new stem straight from the parent plant which is carrying bulbs. I'm curious to see what color they will be.
Best of luck with yours :-)

JamesEG · #5 07-03-2013, 07:20 PM

Thanks for your reply

although unfortunately I think the keiki might actually just be a new flower spike as it's grown about an inch long now and hasn't started developing leaves or roots yet, oh well, maybe next time!

RosieC · #6 07-04-2013, 03:44 AM

What sort of orchid is it James?

I've had dendrobium which grow keikis which spike almost immediately, then later carry on growing as keikis. The first cane of the keiki is like a spike with a swolen base and root nubs. I've had it on both Den Phal types and on Den kingianum types.