Keiki Laden Den Kingianum

[78Terp]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have a new dendrobium kingianum (no lineage stated). When I bought it, the seller stated it is of blooming size. It looks miniature but it may be young.

It does have 3 keikis, with roots, growing on it. Also, 2 new canes are growing.
I think I want to mount it. Is that a good idea? I don't expect to remove the keikis anytime soon. The seller also said the keikis can/will bloom as they are.

A very cute little den!

[cakedaddy]

I have a mounted one that does great! I started it with keikis three or four years ago...blooming for the first time this year. They grow pretty quickly. Here it is beside its mother-

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[coeruleo]

i would guess a good candidate for mounting. they like to be a bit dry for much of the year. i only water plenty while in growth (spring to early summer) and when very hot outside. they don't really seem to grow much roots. i read once they grow on cliffsides as well as in trees in their native australia. keikis can be a bit tricky to start on their own, they need a bit more water so do not give them a rest period their first year, but once they root in they do just fine. keikis will not only flower, but will produce more keikis and can form chainlike growths unless you break them apart. dropping them sends keikis flying all over, as i have found out. mine (also a noid) is getting ready to flower soon. i let mine rest later this year, to try to coincide with my colder weather. mine is actually potted in a plastic nursery pot in, of all things, potting soil. i bought it that way about 3 years ago. it is now overgrown and needs to be repotted. i've found pictures of them growing on large rocks, trees, cork, baskets, whatever. i have placed keikis on treefern, and in a small clay pot of bark chips, and with enough watering most survived the winter. i normally try to leave the keikis on for the better part of a year to complete their growth before detaching them. they do not do well at all if cut off too early.

[78Terp]

Very nice. I have a more mature one on order as well as this little one.

When I mount it, I expect to only cover the roots that are in bark now. Leaving the keikis and their roots in the air. Is that correct or should I tie some sphag at the keiki roots too (at least one of the keikis)?

[coeruleo]

i would not bother. misting them when you water (or splashing them) is usually enough. i'm afraid these might be prone to rotting if not careful. they don't grow in nature with moss around the keikis so i would skip it.

[78Terp]

Cool. Thanks for the info!

[coeruleo]

you will absolutely flip when these bloom. in strong light the scent is powerful, and kind of like jasmine. one of my favorites for scent.

[78Terp]

Here is the den kingianum mounted to a cork wood slab. This is how/where I hope it grows happily for the next couple years.

[Roy]

It would be worth while removing the keikis now they have roots & adding them to the mount. It won't achieve anything leaving them on the old canes.