Flowering keikeis on cut flower spikes? - Orchid Board

khozmo · #1 09-26-2009, 01:58 AM

Hey board,

I had a couple of phals I "inherited" they each had two flower spikes. The spikes had each one or two flowers left.

While I was transferring them from sphag moss into S/H I cut the spikes and put them in water so that my wife could enjoy the last few flowers.

Being the lazy guy that I am I left them there even after the last flower had fallen. A week or so later I noticed that the couple of the joints had started to bulge and it looked like something was growing so I left them. its been about 3 weeks and it looks like there are a couple of kekeis growing on the flowerless spikes.

What is really odd is that it looks like the keikis have small buds that looks like closed flowers. Is this possible?

I have attached two photos sorry they are not that good if you want I will post more.

Should these actually be keiki what are they chances that these spikes will be able to supply them with enough nutrients to last long enough to move into other media.

All my orchids are in S/H. Can you move keiki directly to S/H? What is the best method to try and raise these little ones?

the attached pictures are taken about a week apart.

RosieC · #2 09-26-2009, 08:26 AM

Hmm... I've heard of Keikis flowering when very tiny but that is extreamly tiny. I know Sue (cb977) had one really tiny she posted pics.

But hers was still attached to the parent. I'm really not sure if they can grow big enough from a cut stem.

But then again there is no harm in trying. I would be inclined to keep the spikes in water and see how they go. If I remember correctly you really want roots of at least three inches before you pot them up.

I'm afraid I don't know about putting them in to S/H straight away. I think they have a bit to grow before they get that far anyway.

RosieC · #3 09-26-2009, 08:28 AM

I've found Sue's post about her tiny Keiki flowering. Take a look at this link.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ki-blooms.html

trdyl · #4 09-26-2009, 08:39 AM

khozmo,

I have not had any problems with potting keikis directly into S/H. I would keep the on the mother plant until the roots were at least an inch long. I wish you good luck with those.

camille1585 · #5 09-26-2009, 04:28 PM

I've also had very small keikis put out buds, but they were still attached to the plant! I remember reading a thread a while back about someone growing keikis on cut flower stems. If you do regular water changes and add some fert (need to check this) it's possible for the cut spike to sustain the keikis long enough for them to grow roots. You may have to refresh the cut of the spike so that the vascular tissue openings don't block up. I'll try to find the thread that I have in mind!

neb · #6 09-26-2009, 07:33 PM

I would imagine some sugar or corn syrup in the water would help to add an energy source

khozmo · #7 09-26-2009, 07:38 PM

Camille,

Thanks for the good info. Right now they have been going for about 3 maybe 4 weeks.

I think the water I have been topping up from time to time from my misting bottle. Which may or may not have KLN dynagrow in it. I think I might have put a drop or two of fertilizer as well.

I can see on the sides of the keiki little nubs that I am sure are the start of roots.

Should I cut the little flowers off so that the plant can redirect the energy to roots and leaves?

camille1585 · #8 09-27-2009, 06:50 AM

If the spikes had still been on the plant, I would have said to leave the buds. But since the spike is cut off, I think you'll give the keikis the greatest chance of surviving long enough to grow roots if you remove the buds. But I'm never grown keikis in such conditions so that's just what seems the most logical to me.

khozmo · #9 09-27-2009, 12:06 PM

Camille,

I think you and I are on the same train of thought. I am not 100% certain the cut stems will last long enough but so far so good. I think I will cut the buds as soon as I can see a stem to cut.