Bad idea? Experimental. - Orchid Board

Cattleya17 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 05:18 PM

Hey all how are you guys doing? i have an idea and i dont know if its a good one. I just bought Keikipro, and i have a Laelia Purpurata Var. Carnea its lead is producing a new growth and keiki pro is to be used when the plant's lead is in active growth. There are four Exposed dormant eyes.

Now my idea is to put it on them and cause 5 new growths when all is said and done. i chose now because Laelia Purpurata var carnea set sheaths in fall or winter. so if i set the 4 eyes in motion with the keiki pro i could get 5 blooming leads potentially. and thus an amazing plant and flower display! is it a bad idea to activate the amount of eyes i mentioned? Please help me and give me your thoughts!

~Sam

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 05:21 PM

You could potentially end up with 5 lead growths even without the Keikipro.

Cattleyas and Laelias put out lead growths like no other on a regular basis.

I think your Laelia purpurata var. carnea should be fine without any intervention.

LauraN · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 05:21 PM

I don't know anything about keikipro, but it sounds like an interesting idea.
Can't wait to hear if it works!

isurus79 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 05:39 PM

Interesting idea. I would try it on one eye first to see if it works. What if keiki pro kills purpurata eyes? Then you have no possibility for growth in the future!!!

Cattleya17 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 10:01 AM

Great point steve! i will try just one first. i will definitely keep you posted the package should get here in the morning.

neb · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 07:47 PM

Your plant should be fine just make sure to dilute the keikipro the proper amount. That stuff is alkaline and might burn the plant if it is full straight. I have a catt. that I have put some on so i could divide it. And it did wake up the dormant eyes. You will also want to make sure that the plant can support the new growths.

Cattleya17 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 09:48 PM

Thats what i was wondering about! can my plant support the new growth, How do i Know? i would be happy with only 2 leads really.

Cattleya17 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 04:35 PM

Just sprayed two test plants with the keiki pro! The first plant was a Rootless Phal. I have gotten the reputation among my friends as the guy who keeps plants alive. i have done rescues before but none at this scale of bad. the phal given to me was completly rootless. a person new to orchids repotted it in regular potting soil. killed all roots! so i have sprayed the bloomless spike nodes and the base to get some kind of growth.

The second plant is a discounted catt with a new growth nearing completion. few roots healthy so i have sprayed some back nodes and where roots should grow. will give results when i see them. About how long should i wait to see results???

isurus79 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:19 PM

I dunno about putting keiki pro on the Phal. If it has no roots, then it will not be able to support growing a new plant and could very well die trying. Maybe rooting hormone first and then keiki pro? Just my 2cents.

V_coerulea · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:24 PM

I'd go with a bit of caution as you would with dividing catts or laelias. Count on 4-5 p-bulbs per lead to support good growth. If you activate more buds than that you might end up with smaller growth and less blooms. I buy Keiki Pro in a lanolin base and have never had a problem with damaging a bud on catts or Phals. It's easy to apply and stays in place. I think it's more effective. If you'd be happy with 2 leads, then try 1 more. If that works well, then next year you'll know you can try more.