Phalaenopsis Keiki Induction: Dark Treatment & Spike Pruning

Three phals blooming well; one healthy but not blooming—3 old spikes with tiny green tips at top nodes (unchanged 7–9 months). Plant has 7 leaves, new roots. What are these tips? Keikis?

Stimulating Keikis

If you want a keiki: place plant in near-total darkness ≥1 week. Darkness stresses plant, suppresses flowering, floods tissues with growth hormones → can trigger keiki formation. If no change in weeks, cut spike back to just above 2nd/3rd node.

Follow-Up: Worth It for a Common White Phal?

If nothing special, not worth the effort. Cut entire spike off → future blooms on new spikes only. Keikis useful for: preserving a special plant's genetics, gifting to others.

Repotting Reminder (Follow-Up)

• Repot after each bloom in special orchid mix (air movement, prevents soggy mix).
• Pot size: ½–1" larger diameter. Exception: if root rot removed many roots, same pot may work.
• Aerial roots: soak 1 hour to soften, try to bend into pot (don't force). Not crucial but helps.
• Use standard orchid mix (bark + perlite + charcoal…). Soak overnight—dry bark steals water from roots.