Phal. leaf question

[boxerfan]

I just bought a new harlequin phal and have noticed that it has a pair of leaves growing from its base at an odd angle. What's going on? (see pics below). Thanks, Lisa

[Aniko]

Lisa, it might be a kind of new branch which is unusual but it happens, since my yellow Phal has such a ramification.It's not a keiki because has no it's own roots, but has 5 leaves.

[kmarch]

It looks like a keikei. Keikeis usually get a certain size before the get roots. Aniko, yours is probably a keikei too it just hasn't grown roots yet.

Leave it be, it will most likely grow into another plant and then eventually you will have twice as much plant and therefore twice as many spikes and flowers.

[Aniko]

When I took this picture I discovered 2 roots !
This is my "for ever bloomer"

[PhalPal]

Now I am really confused about keikis! The only ones that I have had the priveledge to see on phals where more 'aerial' in nature, not from the bottom of the plant?? Also, with Phals only, isn't this a sign of stress and a last ditch effort to survive?

[Aniko]

A keiki is a baby plant as result of asexual = vegetative reproduction.
The baby starts from a bud situated on a flower stem or the axis.Keikis in extreme situations can be a last effort of a dying plant for survival, but it's a normal phenomenon that can be observed at healthy plants, more frequently on flower stems.As you can see my plant is in good shape, in bloom. I was surprised, too, when I learned what is going on...lol!

[kmarch]

A keiki often arises from flower stem but a Phal can start a baby from the base. Keiki just means "baby."

[PhalPal]

Thanks Aniko for your answer. When I saw your very healthy, blooming plant it really confused me. So, in some cases, is a keiki a sign of good health? If I keep a spike on a phal that has finished blooming, hoping for another few flowers, is this when (and where) the plant will throw a keiki?

[Aniko]

Developing keikis on the flower stems it's a common way of producing off springs but some Phalaenopsis are more likely to do it than others.I've recently read that Phal.lueddemanniana group (?)is one of those ( I have to do some search to see how it look likes ..)
I've never experienced, but I read that keikis usually develop from the lower nods of a stem. Upper nods are more likely to develop buds or ramifications+new buds, so they are removed.
Keikis can be induced by hormone treatment, too, applied on nods.
Maybe you can just leave it alone and see what happens...Sometimes the stem do nothing more than dry off