Keiki on spike - Orchid Board

Dorothy · #1 01-22-2008, 01:10 PM

Hi all -
I have a large sized hybrid phal , Phal. Baldan's Kaleidescope Select Hybrid 'Melon', that has a keiki on it's spike. (I didn't cut the spike as it was green and I thought that buds may develop at it's end.) Since then, a keiki has continues to grow leaves but no roots .. ? .. Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Do I have to just be patient and wait for this keiki to develop a root system .. I have no intention of cutting it from it's spike at this time. Just wondering

Ross · #2 01-22-2008, 01:23 PM

Patience Dorothy. I have had keikis in past and it seems to me they took forever to develop roots. Maybe Gin will respond?

Dorothy · #3 01-22-2008, 01:50 PM

That's what I figured

Thanks Ross ..

camille1585 · #4 01-22-2008, 04:02 PM

I've been lucky so far. Mine tend to put out a root after every new leaf. I even have one that is doing leaf-root-bud-leaf-root-bud....

But if you don't want to be patient, why not try Keikiroot? It's kind of expensive so maybe you could use normal rooting hormone. I've read that if you mix a very little bit with lanolin and apply it to the base of the keiki, you get roots quicker. It is auxins, like in the keikiroot, so why not? But I may be saying nonsense here!

kavanaru · #5 01-22-2008, 04:08 PM

Hi Dorothy, If you do not want to use Keiki-root or other synthetic hormones, why don't you give a try to flushing your keiki with coconut water? It is well known for containing quite high amounts of plant growth hormones like auxins, gibberilins, and cytokinins (this is the reason why it is usually added to some agar based growth media for in-vitro culture). I don't know, it's just an idea that came to my mind right now after reading your threat... It could be worth a try

Dorothy · #6 01-22-2008, 04:25 PM

Do you mean the coconut water out of the nut? ..

.. then anything left over I can make a nice drink out of and help pass the time while I wait for this keiki to sprout roots ...

Thanks for your replies .. I'll consider all the suggestion ..

kavanaru · #7 01-22-2008, 04:35 PM

exactly.. the water out of the nut... give a bit to the keikis, and with the rest you canmake a great drink!
(I love it with ice cubes and whisky

Leonard · #8 02-15-2008, 04:20 PM

Coconut water contains cytokinin, it's an sprout hormone and activator. Not for stimulate the roots.
Just put some auxine, (Indole-3-butyric acid or, NAA) it's a root hormone, mix with some lanolin and put on the base of yu'r Keiki.

Good luck !

Dorothy · #9 02-15-2008, 06:01 PM

Thanks

OrchidTess · #10 02-16-2008, 07:23 AM

Thats a great looking plant Dorothy! IF you see the spike start to die, then I would get a rooting hormone as I have had unrooted keiki's die right along with the spike.