Orchid Growers

Hi, Maryjane! What kind of orchids do you have? Cattleyas are propagated from root divisions. Paphs and Phals form new plants at their base. Sometimes Phals form new plants (called "kikis") on their bloom spike after the flowers fall off. Of course, all plants including orchids are originally propagated from seed however this is not something you can do at home! (Don't try this at home, kids!!) The seeds come from the seed pod which is formed when an orchid flower is pollinated. These seeds are so tiny they are almost invisible. Literally thousands of seeds in a pod. They are removed under sterile conditions and put in bottles (or "flasks") in a special growing gel called agar. It takes months for the seeds to germinate and make tiny plants. When roots form and the plants turn green the flask is broken open and the wad of tiny orchids is put in a pot called a "compot" or community pot. They grow here for months and months until they have a couple of little leaves each and are carefully separated and each little plant is put into a plug tray. (Like a regular starting tray you would plant seeds in.) After months they are potted individually in two inch pots. From the original seed pod to a flowering Cattleya orchid takes five to seven YEARS!! (Now orchids don't seem very expensive, do they!!!) The amazing thing is that each orchid from the seed pod can look slightly (sometimes a lot!) different! Commercial orchids are usually propagated by a process called meristem (or cloning!) Each of these plants will be identical. Check out previous posts on "cuttings" and the reply (Cattleya divisions) and orchidlovers most recent post about her Paph (it made two new "babies!") Do you have orchids yet or just love them?

I have some phals and I have one that formed on the stalk and I was wondering why it did that. Do you just separate it and plant?
I killed about the first three orchids but finally got the hang of it. (I think)
I picked up several at stores after the blooms fell off and they reduced them. Some had buds and went on to bloom and other I had to wait. They are worth it as they stay in bloom for so long.
Thanks for the info.
I will probably be back for more info.

Hi, Maryjane! Sometimes a "kiki" or new plant will form on a Phal spike when the bloom falls off. Wait for the kiki to have at least three roots then cut it off and plant it. If there are no more kikis starting then cut the bloom spike off. Did you know that when you cut the Phal spike off you can cut it into pieces that have one joint (the little bump where the bloom fell off...this is where your kiki formed) each and lay the piece sideways barely covered in potting medium or on top of some spagnum moss. Keep the pieces damp not soaking wet. Sometimes a kiki will start forming and make a new little plant. It will take a long time for the plant to develop enough to bloom and most of the pieces won't make a plant but, hey, it's one way to propagate! There's is a product called Kiki Grow that you can put on the Phal spike while it's on the plant and after the blooms fall off that is supposed to encourage kiki formation and another product called Kiki Root that you can put on your stem pieces. Google them and see if you think they're cost effective. I have tried them and didn't get great results but you might have better luck. (Soon you'll have a zillion little tiny pots sitting all over the place, just like me!!!)

I have a new phal forming on the spike that has already bloomed. There are no new roots coming out of the new leaf and phal? What do I do? I have cut the stalk above the new Phal leaf, but nothing is happening, Any ideas? I would like to detach, but I guess it would be too soon.

Orchidlover, just leave the spike alone until the kiki has formed at least three roots about two inches long. This will take months. It would have been better not to have cut the spike tip at all. Cutting it may make it branch out and form new buds and bloom again. The only reason I discourage this practice is Phals need to go into a growing cycle after they bloom and if you cut the old spikes toward the ends it may encourage new blooms (as opposed to cutting the spikes completely off at the base) and the blooming takes the growing strength away from the plant during it's normal optimal growth cycle. Resist the temptation to do anything to the kiki at this time!

I will not touch it. The kekie is just sitting there, one new phal leaf on the stalk, no roots at all, spike cut above that keiki, would misting and humidity help? What about soaking in super thrive to stimulate root growth?

You just HAVE to do something to it dont' you? LOL Okay, since you're not touching it...mix up your usual weak fertilizer solution with a drop of superthrive in a spray bottle and mist it once a day. Might help, won't hurt! I had mentioned Kiki Grow and Kiki Root in an earlier part of this thread. If someone in your orchid group has some you might get a little from them. It's kind of pricy and you only need a little. I have not had good enough results using either to spend money on it again.

Patience Orchidlover! Ha.