Keiki Paste Experiment

[Azizan]

This time I tried my keiki paste on my Phalaenopsis KV Beauty spike. All nodes induced to become spikes which did not develop further, it just stop growing. However, the spikes have nodes too. So I applied again on several nodes. Finally, I manage to get a keiki-like growth (red arrow). I realize that the first application of keiki paste was done on rainy season and second time application during not so rainy days. Rainy season is associated with temperature drops which in turn might cause induction of spike instead of keiki (which is just my hypothesis). Another thing is that, a thin layer of the paste is enough (don't be too generous with it) or else the node will go crazy. If I have chance, maybe I will do this again on hotter months to see if my hypothesis is true. Hopefully the keiki will develop further!

P/S: Sorry for poor quality pictures, too lazy to take the heavy camera.

[Chris in Hamilton]

There are two growth's there Azizan. Is one a root?

[Azizan]

There are two growth's there Azizan. Is one a root?

Not sure which one you are referring to but there's no roots yet. Hopefully it will grow roots and leaves eventually. Labelled 1 in the picture below is probably a node beside the keiki, labelled 2 is not sure what I should called it maybe under-developed spike.



---------- Post Merged at 08:12 PM ----------

But the keiki looks a bit too elongated, hopefully it will decide to become keiki and not something else.

[Carolla]

I didn't take as good of notes as you did, but did use keiki paste on several of my Phals. One I did two years ago, which promptly sent it into bloom, it has bloomed twice since then and is now growing a good keiki! (and blooming and sending out more spikes - its a big old Phal, so its not stressed). This fall I did 3 - 4 more of them and I have one keiki and a couple that look like they will bloom again. All in all its a fun experiment, someday soon I'll dig out the notes I have and take some pictures.

[Azizan]

I didn't take as good of notes as you did, but did use keiki paste on several of my Phals. One I did two years ago, which promptly sent it into bloom, it has bloomed twice since then and is now growing a good keiki! (and blooming and sending out more spikes - its a big old Phal, so its not stressed). This fall I did 3 - 4 more of them and I have one keiki and a couple that look like they will bloom again. All in all its a fun experiment, someday soon I'll dig out the notes I have and take some pictures.

Please do share your experience when you have time. I'm sure other people would be interested as well

[Photodoc1948]

I used a Keiki paste on my Fuller's sunset Phal. on a bud near the base of the flower spike. It developed a nice Keiki which grew a couple leaves up to about 2 inches long. I has never developed any roots???? Yesterday, I found it lying on the sphagnum moss. What did I do wrong???
George

[-Nicola-]

Hi, this is very interesting,
I have never used Keiki Paste but I have a NOID Phal that behaves exactly the way you described it.
The Spike grows for months producing new buds, finally they reach the state of deformation and fall.
At that point the tip of the spike continues to grow and regularly forms a keiki.
It must be the result of a change of hormones produced by the plant.

[Photodoc1948]

It was a really nice size plant. But, never formed any roots, only leaves????????????