Greeting from South TX

[bdietz]

Just found this forum and hoping I can learn from Y'all . . .

I was given 3 Phals last Sep, two in bloom and one was not, I was able to get the latter to spike and bloom eventually. I've learned that cutting the spikes below the last bloom will sometimes allow more blooms - have been successfull with all three on that. Right now I am just patiently waiting for my three guys to produce more spikes and or rebloom but one of them has produced leaves on it's spike??? Has this happened to anyone and should I do anything about it? I was wondering if I could cultivate a new plant from this??? Any advice? Beck from TX

[greg_s]

Sounds like it might be a keiki (startings of a new plant). If you have a digital camera, post some pictures.

[bdietz]

A photo is attached - I think! And yes, it does look like a new plant. So, can I use this keiki to start a new plant?

[mayres]

Yep! That is a keiki alright. As soon as it has 3-4 roots 1-2 inches long you can remove it from its parent and pot it up. Under good growing conditions it will take about 18-24 months to get a spike from the new plant. If you have your parent plant in a medium to coarse media you will want to use a finer media on the baby until it grows a better root system. Enjoy! mike

[bdietz]

Thanks to both for the quick reply - been struggling with how to care for these guys and so glad I found this forum. Learning so much!