The Orchid Garden

Keikis

Question:

Tommie, What you are seeing is not a keiki, but a new growth emanating from the base or rhizome (no matter how short) of the original plant. On a sympodial plant like an oncidium, the old growth will not flower again, and when the new growth matures, it will. That process will continue until you have an overgrown specimen.  At that time, you can divide the plant – keeping a minimum of 3 pseudobulbs per division – and pot them up.  If the older bulbs are viable, they will sprout new growth from dormant ‘eyes," and you’ll have another plant. — Ray Barkalow –<– First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I have a question about oncidiums and other orchids with an outer leaf around a bulb. A few of mine have kiekis between the leaf and the bulb. Should I cut these off  because it doesn’t look like it has any roots of its own? Or can it ever be separated will it ever develop roots? Thanks for your help in advance. Newbie

Response:

Hi, I have a question about oncidiums and other orchids with an outer leaf around a bulb. A few of mine have kiekis between the leaf and the bulb. Should I cut these off  because it doesn’t look like it has any roots of its own? Or can it ever be separated will it ever develop roots? Thanks for your help in advance. Newbie

Response:

Hi Tom  It sounds like these are the new growth coming from the older bulb.As a general rule (wild sweeping statement) orchid keikies are generally further up the plant on an old flower raceme (flower stem).It generally takes a new growth several months to send out a new root system depending on the orchid.An Oncidium growth (new)  if cut off without roots is unlikely to survive.           STUIE

Response:

Hi Everyone. I have a dendrobium that has suddenly decided to GROW.  And it is doing it in all kinds of directions, which is great, but I’m not sure what to do with the keikis that are forming.  If I remember correctly, there are two fairly close to each other (~2 nodes apart) and each are growing quite well.   My questions are:  how big should I let them get before potting them and should I keep them together?  Will it matter for their survival? And is there anything I should do to help them out? -Potting media, water, fertilizer? Or just ignore them?  (I think that’s what started this growth spurt…) How do I cut them off? -Do I leave a half an inch of the old spike on either side or try to get the keiki away from it completely? Thanks in advance. Rebecca —

Response:

Hi Rebecca,    Congratulations on your dendrobium putting on such a display of keikis.   As for what to do with them and when to do it, here are some guidelines of what I do with mine.      Allow the keikis to remain on the mother cane until they have several roots at least 2 inches long.   Remove them by gently rocking the keiki back and forth or cut them off with a sterile blade such as a new single-edged razor blade (only cut at the point where it is joined to the mother plant).      Keikis may be potted individually or together with others, the choice is yours.   It is best to not pot dendrobiums into too large a pot as they like their roots to be on the crowded side.   As for potting media, you can use just about anything that will retain moisture.   Depending upon what type of den you have, evergreen or deciduous, will determine watering frequency and whether it will need a dry rest period.   While it is a good idea to fertilize your den regularly, it is best to not be too heavy with it.   Dens prefer being fed lightly, too heavy with fertilizers will promote lots of keikis but few flowers.      Hope this helps you.   Good luck and good growing.  

Response:

Filed under: Orchid Flower

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