Den. Kinginum temps and kekies

These are two questions about my Den. Kinganium "Ellen".
First about the max temps that they can tolerate.-- Having read all about the low temps. that den kingianum can take, I am not sure if it should go outside for the summer. We are just outside Washington DC, and summmer temps are commonly up in the 90's with super humidity.

2nd. Mine came in bloom when I bought it, but it also has keikis, now the flowers are gone and there are 5 or 6 keikis. I pulled them off and potted up 2 big ones, but was it smart to remove them? Will it help make a good specimen plant OR will it sap the strength of the parent plant? Or is it just a matter of personal taste?

I think it would be Ok to leave your dens outside for summer, just as long as they are shaded.

My dens are outside all year under a pergoda, our summer is often over 100F with very low humidity. Our winters are wet cool, day temps 60- 70F and night 35- 50F.

As for the keikis, I usually leave them on the parent plant until they have enough roots, then they come off but I have been a bit lazy lately. My dens are happy either way.

They are my toughest orchids, I do very little for them and they are in spike now!

I go along with you,this is one of the most hardy of orchids.

kingianum will and does with stand very high light levels and temperature.I have just done some calulations and they would regulary have tempuratures around the 120F in the summer and in full sun.

As for the keikei,I leave mine on the plants untill there are about 2 bulbs plus a growth.That way as soon as they are potted up or mounted they are into growth.

My plants and hybrids are in spike now as well.

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murray

Yeah, like Murray and Miki said, these are tough little buggers... so don't worry about high temps.

The keikis are I guess a personal taste... it's always 'neater' to remove them. When though will depend on whether you want more or you will just chuck em. Bare minimum is to have at least a couple of roots.. they will then be able to look after themselves.

good luck with your plant and enjoy the bloom and fragrance late winter/early spring...

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once upon a time, in the faraway land of Oz, lived a fellow who surrounded himself with slipper orchids that the menfolk, the womenfolk and children alike called him P.o.P!

I agree about the keikis...they always drive me crazy...I want to always remove them, haha...

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I should have known- no wimpy plants in Australia!

Meg, I had a similar question about keikis a while back and got some useful info. (posted thread link below)
I ultimately decided to keep the keikis on.

http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...um-keikis.html

I have my den hercoglossum outside, hanging from the window all summer in NYC doing great.