Keiki or Subspike? What do you think?

[mayres]

I have a phal that I have discussed on a couple previous threads - with a center spike. It came out of the center of my plant last fall and bloomed for at least six months and wouldn't stop blooming, so I finally just cut the flowers off - for in this case what I want is a keiki NOT flowers, otherwise I will loose this plant - which I have emotional ties to. Anyway, a week or so ago the top node has started to bulge and something is making an appearance. What do you think from the pics? Keiki or subspike???? I'll update in a few weeks and see if you guessed correctly!

[Vivienne]

I'm going to go with 'too soon to tell'... but my fingers are crossed for you that it is a keiki.

[kmarch]

I'm gonna be brave and say I think its a secondary spike coming.

[Anton]

I'm with Vivienne here.

[BillC]

Mike, however it turns out, please keep us posted on the end product.

Bill

[Anton]

Well, I have found a similar thing on my Phal pulchra. I only found it tonight after checking in the GH AS I do when I get home from work.

There a bud of some description on the tip and a new bud on the stem. It only stopped flowering last month.

A disclaimer:
I know they are not sharp, but at maximum close up and hand held due to the positioning of the stem in the middle of the plant, I am more than pleased with the end result. So there !

[kmarch]

Anton, I think oyu have some of both. I think the first 3 are new buds coming but the last 2 I bet will be keikis.

[Anton]

I'll keep you posted.

I have never seen a bud on the end of a cut off stem before. Hmm interesting.

[Summerglow]

Hi Anton,
WHat did you do to "stimulate" a keikis in your plant?
ANy advice?
THank you.

[janet_a]

i think mike's got a spike and anton at least some keiki's (just because pulchra supposedly throws lots of keiki's). but yes do keep us apprised.

[arleneg]

My guesses are:

Mike -- It looks like a new spike/bud.

Anton -- It looks like new keikis for you.

Do I get a prize if I have guessed correctly?

Please update us in a few weeks.

[Anton]

Dang ! I have already taken off 3 keikis from it which are propogating well, don't want any more.

Summerglow it JUST happens with this plant, doesn't need any form of encouragement.

[mayres]

I have heard that the biggest influence is genetics - if you have it you have it - if you don't you don't - sound's like Anton's plant just naturally puts out ton's of keikis. I heard of other specific types of phals doing this same thing. Wish someone would have "wished" one for me! Hmmmm. Well, I'm not giving up just yet. If it is a subspike I will have to cut it off again - maybe down to the next node, and see what happens again.............

[Anton]

Like you Mike I'll do the same, as the surgeons at work say, "If in doubt, cut it out!"

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Anton

Dang ! I have already taken off 3 keikis from it which are propogating well, don't want any more.

Summerglow it JUST happens with this plant, doesn't need any form of encouragement.

As someone said in an earlier thread, pulcra (and several other Phal species, throw keikis a lot. Some folks just let them go, don't bother to remove them and they'll eventually mature to the point where they'll spike. I saw this once on a big stock plant at a nursery, a big plant with about 5 spikes, about 5 keikis, I think 3 of the keikis were in spike, some with flowers. It was a sight. If you get too many pulcra pups you could always sell them off for $5 or $10 each and use the procedes to fund your habit...er...offset other costs.

[Anton]

Already started that Kevin, hence the potted keikis I already have.

[Summerglow]

HI Anton,
Looks like you are real lucky. How I wish my phal grow keikis like yours..

[tizzycat]

I hope they turn out to be what you both want them to be!