Dendrobium moschatum - Big Orchid with lots of keikis.........

[maria1971]

This is an orchid, what would you do type of question: So I bought this Dendrobium moschatum in 2011. Since I bought it, it has grown several canes, which are REALLY tall and thicker than the original canes. Surprisingly, and I say surprisingly because I have not fertilized it much, the plant now has about 8 keikis. I was going to cut these old shriveled up canes that were really short, but it is now developing baby keikis on those too. To give you an idea, it has 11 full-sized canes, not including the old and short shriveled ones.

My concern is what possible stress are the keikis putting on the mother plant? My preference is to leave them there, but not if they are going to place undue stress on the momma? What would you do?

[Katherine]

It is my understanding that this plant has never bloomed for you. It is also my understanding that if a plant is throwing a lot of keikies you are not giving it what it needs to flower ( fertilizer?). I don't think the keikies harm the plant. and the old canes are not harming the plant either, but could be removed next time you pot.

[maria1971]

No, the plant has bloomed for me several times since I purchased it.

[PaphMadMan]

Keikis put no stress on the mother plant at all. It is no different than growing any other new canes or leaves, and the new leaves of the keikis support the mother just as any new leaves do. And I have seen Den. moschatum blooming from keikis. It is really up to you if you want to remove the keikis when they are ready, or just leave them as part of the normal growth of the plant.

[zainal abidin]

It's quite common this species to produce many keikies when not in bloom mine also have the same thing just keep there once is ready to separate from the mom say about one foot size with sufficient roots than go on.