Dendrobium keiki not developing

[Roberta]

Concentrate on the mother plant. Leave the keikis attached - they are also capable of blooming, making a better display than the mother plant alone. You are much better off with one big, robust plant (keikis and all) than a bunch of little weak ones.

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Concentrate on the mother plant. Leave the keikis attached - they are also capable of blooming, making a better display than the mother plant alone. You are much better off with one big, robust plant (keikis and all) than a bunch of little weak ones.

The mother plant is getting soft. I am thinking keikis are draining it? Or is it going to be ok? Thanks !

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Irisha99

The mother plant is getting soft. I am thinking keikis are draining it? Or is it going to be ok? Thanks !

The keikis aren't draining it, unless the mother plant has other issues. If the roots are bad, the keikis are its attempt to survive. Leave them in place - if the mother plant is on its way out, the keikis will use it as a source of energy and nutrients - and hopefully, will absorb enough that they can survive on their own eventually when the mother plant gives up. If you remove the keikis now, you won't save the mother plant if it is already fading and will have weak keikis that probably won't survive either. Let Mother Nature run her course.

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The keikis aren't draining it, unless the mother plant has other issues. If the roots are bad, the keikis are its attempt to survive. Leave them in place - if the mother plant is on its way out, the keikis will use it as a source of energy and nutrients - and hopefully, will absorb enough that they can survive on their own eventually when the mother plant gives up. If you remove the keikis now, you won't save the mother plant if it is already fading and will have weak keikis that probably won't survive either. Let Mother Nature run her course.

Ok, that makes perfect sense! Thanks, Roberta!