Noob Phal questions re base keiki and stake holes in leaves.

[bil]

OK, I'm a bit of a noob, so bear with me if these are dumb questions.

Just bought a nice Phal with good roots, and a keiki growing from the base with three leaves already. Now my personal preference would be to leave it attached and have a bigger more showy plant. Are there any disadvantages to doing that that make it best to cut it off when it is big enough to survive on its own?

OK, that's the good news. The bad is that the MORON who staked it drove stakes thru three leaves, presumably mistaking them for Dracula. I removed the stakes and dusted the holes with ground cinnamon powder.

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The Phal may or may not drop those damaged leaves depending on how the plant reacts to that kind of stress, (referring the staking of the 3 leaves).

I'd leave the keiki on. I think there is more of an advantage to having basal keikis attached; I believe they can share resources.

[bil]

Thanks. Any treatment you would suggest to the holes in the leaves?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No. I think you've done all you can do for the plant.

[bil]

OK, thanks. I don't expect much from growers who are basically selling them on the 'Buy & Die' market, - here in Spain, they buy Phals (mostly as Mother's day and birthday flowers) and I doubt the average plant lives long. Hell, one shop I go to, the last time I was there there were 20 odd dead and dying plants.

However, kebabbing three leaves is a new low, even for them.

I'll leave the Keiki attached. If the plant survives all that, it could end up looking most impressive.

[MrsH530]

I have several phals with skewered leaves. I haven't experienced any problems with them at all, they just look a little funny.

[bil]

Originally Posted by MrsH530

I have several phals with skewered leaves. I haven't experienced any problems with them at all, they just look a little funny.

Oh well, that's reassuring. Did you treat the holes at all?

[MrsH530]

Nope. All of them were already "healed" = dried around the edge of the wound.

[bil]

OK, thanks. Hopefully mine will heal ok too.

[RosieC]

I think the cinnamon should be sufficient on the damaged leaves. I don't think you should have a problem with them.

As for the keiki, I would leave at the base and let it just grow as part of the main plant.