Splitting Phalaenopsis Leaves: Causes and Solutions

Why Are My Orchid Leaves Splitting?

Leaf splitting (down the middle or at edges) is not a disease. It's a structural deficiency caused by insufficient incorporation of magnesium and/or calcium into plant tissues.

Treatment: Strengthen New Growth

Use Dyna-Gro Pro-TeKt, a silicon-based supplement that strengthens cell walls. Follow directions carefully—excess silicon can make leaves brittle.

Producing Keikis (Plantlets) from Flower Spikes

1. Buy keiki paste at www.keikipro.com.
2. Remove the node sheath to expose meristematic tissue.
3. Apply paste to the exposed node.
4. Move plant to dark/very low light for ~1 week.

Some hybrids naturally produce keikis without treatment, but most require this stimulation. Prolonged low light can also trigger natural keiki formation.