Phals & keikis

[exasperatus2002]

Tis the season for Phals to spike
fa lala la laa la la la la

in all seriousness, what causes a Phal to make a keiki? the only keiki I've had was from a home depot rescued Dendrobium that was giving up the ghost. After loosing its leaves it put out a keiki which I have mounted to some cork. I have a Phal which has flowered 3 times for me now but never produced a keiki. Other then buying that product thats out there to apply. What other ways can one induce a keiki with out killing the plant? Or is it one of those if it does it does if not then oh well situations?

[mayres]

Part of what makes phals keiki is genetics - some plants just naturally produce loads of keikis - several species phals that I have heard of. Hybrids that are made with their genes will also have this tendency. Phals that are stressed will produce keikis in an attept to live - depending upon the condition either basal or spike keikis. On the other extreme, phals that are extremely "happy" and have the genetics to do so will be more inclined to keiki. I have used the keiki paste a number of times and it has produced a growth 100% of the time - unfortunately up to this point - always a subspike! I have a couple more coming on another plant and they are swelling - keeping my fingers crossed! This has been my experience so far.........

[bellina9]

I keep seeing that its "phal" season, but I only have 1 phal with a new spike! Alot of these spiked and flowered in August, so does that mean they are done until the spring or am I just not providing enough light and maybe fertilizer to get them going??

[kmarch]

I don't think ou can get a Phal to blom by fertilising it. Many (most?) Phals are seasonal bloomers but sometimes especially if they are new they'll skip a season.

[mayres]

As Kevin has suggested, commercial growers can vary the culture to get phals to bloom any time of year - by this greenhouse environment "tweaking" the plants don't really know what season they are in when they come out and go to your home. It is very common for them to skip the normal blooming season if the previous bloom was in the period you are suggesting - I'd expect it to be back on schedule next fall. This is the only time of year I might consider encouraging a subspike if the original spike is still green and healthy - IF you are interested in a few less (but additional) flowers than the original spike. The overall affect of the plant I also find not as aesthetic. My bent is to cut the spike down and work on energizing the plant for the next crop of spike(s) in the next year's season. There are a small percentage of the phals that are summer bloomers as well - so maybe you will get another spike this spring? Good luck and enjoy! mike