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How many keikis can i leave on?

Discussion in 'Everything Else Orchid' started by jai, Nov 27, 2016.

  1. Nov 27, 2016 #1
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    M restrepia has 6 very healthy keikis forming on it. I was wondering how many can I leave on that won't deplete the life of the mother plant? I like the look of keikis growing on the mother plants but from what I read it is bad to leave a lot of keikis because they can/will eventually suck the life out of the mother. This plant has 20 leaves and 4 new growths. Is it large enough to leave all 6 keikis without causing harm?
    Screenshot_2016-11-27-18-22-07.png Screenshot_2016-11-27-18-22-35.png
     
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  2. Nov 28, 2016 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    The keikis will be photosynthesizing and not taking anything from the main plant. You can just leave them on. If you want to take them off and pot them up, you should wait until they have a couple leaves and good roots.
     
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  3. Nov 28, 2016 #3
    carl

    carl Active Member

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    Also, I've found that when all the growing points on the main rhizome are dead for some reason (say snails ate them), the restrepias explode into keikis. Keep your eye out for new growth at the base of the plant.

    If you plan to remove keikis, take the entire growth, including ramicaul and mother leaf. Pot that up entire, instead of just detaching the keiki. The ramicaul will help stabilize the plant in the pot until the roots take hold.
     
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  4. Nov 28, 2016 #4
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    The base is very healthy it has 4 new growths growing no worries about snails :)
     
  5. Nov 28, 2016 #5
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Snails don't usually eat the growths, just the roots. And if the roots aren't happy, the plant has other strategies to survive. One of those is producing keikis.
     
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  6. Nov 28, 2016 #6
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    Thanks for the info Marni. I never worry about pest problems:rolleyes: I do the occasional(monthly) clean up and sprays. Since I grow indoor I use diy mixes and they work very well. I use the popular alcohol, soap and water spray but also I use Listerine(the gold brand) works wonders even on thrifts! I never had any investations or out breaks but do have the occasional tag along when I get new orchids.