What Is This Growing From My Phal?

[panam]

Good for you, Vicki!

[brit6v]

Mom Phal and I thank you, Bruce! :>) Seriously, though, what causes an orchid to do this, especially after it has spiked and bloomed "normally" at least twice in the past.....once at the big-box store where I bought it, and once under my care about 1 1/2 yrs. ago? If this is a genetic thing, why the sudden change in Mom's growth habit? I still can't help but wonder if there's something I should change as I care for it in the future. ???

I would appreciate your thoughts.
Vicki

[brit6v]

Thank you, Patty! You are invited to the baby shower. A little pot and medium will be welcomed and appreciated. :>)
Vicki

Good for you, Vicki!

[poetiscariot]

I've seen people respond to similar pictures by saying the plant got treated with too much growth hormone, and that the leaves probably won't grow roots, and therefore won't turn into a whole new plant. What's the difference here? Or am I misinterpreting?

[Orkidea]

What a happy event! I want a keiki!

[brit6v]

Hi,
I honestly don't know what the difference is (if I understand your comment correctly). I use 1 drop of KLN per gallon when I water approx. every 7-10 days.

Anyway, thanks for your reply!
Vicki

I've seen people respond to similar pictures by saying the plant got treated with too much growth hormone, and that the leaves probably won't grow roots, and therefore won't turn into a whole new plant. What's the difference here? Or am I misinterpreting?

[brit6v]

Thanks....and I hope you get one, too.
Vicki

What a happy event! I want a keiki!

[brit6v]

UPDATE-TODAY-9/2/2011-almost 5 wks. after I started my initial thread.

The keiki has started growing 2 root nubs, but I'm confused about the leaves.....there is a small one emerging from the center but it is covered by a slightly larger "hooded" leaf. What is the "hooded leaf"...will it fold back and simply become another leaf on the keiki or what? It seems to be confining the small new leaf from growing out as it should ??? I don't mind waiting until it has "done it's thing", but I want to be sure from you that it is growing as it should, that there is nothing I should do but wait.

I have a picture of the plant today already uploaded to my computer, but I see that I need to know the image url to post it in a reply and I haven't figured out how to locate that address, so I'm sorry I can't include the photo. I tried hosting it on my personal website, which has worked in the past, but no longer seems to-I'm assuming because of a software change. ??

I would appreciate your advice,
Vicki

Hello everyone,
I've thought for awhile that my phal was sending up a "normal?" spike that I'm accustomed to seeing, but this is the first time I've had one to do this. What is it and what does it mean?

I would appreciate anyone's help,
Vicki

[orcoholic]

I think keiki production is a hormonal thing.

The orchids are going to do everything they can to reproduce. It can be done through flowers or keikis. The more natural way is to flower and hope for fertilization. I think that keikis are produced if something is not quite right, so the plant, thinking it may die will produce another plantlet that can take root when the mother dies and falls. This is just my opinion and I've never actually seen a phal die when keikis are produced, but I have seen nobile Dens. die after producing keikis because they were watered during the winter.

There are actually pastes out there that encourage keikiing by putting the paste on the brachts of a spike. I think it's called keikigrow. Used it several years ago and it does work. Getting and growing a keiki is like having insurance on the mother.

Please send me a cigar so I can properly celebrate the new birth. A bottle of single malt scotch will also help. Thank you in advance.

[brit6v]

UPDATE QUESTION CONTINUED:

I now have 3 pictures that refer to my UPDATE ABOVE (I hope I have located and posted these urls correctly):

Vicki/aka brit6v

UPDATE-TODAY-9/2/2011-almost 5 wks. after I started my initial thread.

The keiki has started growing 2 root nubs, but I'm confused about the leaves.....there is a small one emerging from the center but it is covered by a slightly larger "hooded" leaf. What is the "hooded leaf"...will it fold back and simply become another leaf on the keiki or what? It seems to be confining the small new leaf from growing out as it should ??? I don't mind waiting until it has "done it's thing", but I want to be sure from you that it is growing as it should, that there is nothing I should do but wait.

I have a picture of the plant today already uploaded to my computer, but I see that I need to know the image url to post it in a reply and I haven't figured out how to locate that address, so I'm sorry I can't include the photo. I tried hosting it on my personal website, which has worked in the past, but no longer seems to-I'm assuming because of a software change. ??

I would appreciate your advice,
Vicki