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Please help

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Shona, Oct 3, 2017.

  1. Shona

    Shona New Member

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    I bought this orchid about 3 years ago but it has never flowered for me. I repotted it as it was over growing it's pot about 6 months ago and I had some lovely new growth from it but it seems to be rather ill now please advise what I should do if there is anything. I'd love to see it flower like my brassia twice in 3 months!!
     

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  2. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    You,have not really given us much info about your culture to go on, but that photo says a bunch.

    Start by getting it out of that glass vase! Orchids do most of their respiratory gas exchange processes through their roots, rather than through their leaves, as is the case for terrestrial plants. A very poem airy potting medium in a more standard pot will permit you to water more thoroughly, more frequently, providing more water (the driving force behind growth), flushing residues and plant wastes, while allowing more air to the roots.
     
  3. Shona

    Shona New Member

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  4. Shona

    Shona New Member

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    Hi Ray. Thank you. It's strange really since I put it in the glass the two kikis have become really strong and healthy plants but the main plant is the one that decided to go. My mum and my aunt put all their orchids in glass vases (over 50 between them) and they're flourishing. That's why I'm confused xx
     
  5. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Keikis are frequently produced as a reaction to bad conditions at the roots. As the main plant is suffering or dying, the keikis have the chance to land a bit farther from the base of the plant where they have a chance of survival.
    Glass vases may be working for you family, but you plant is in serious distress.
     
  6. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    I think we need to get square on some terminology, while we're at it:

    The plants you have are both sympodial, meaning that they produce new growths from a rhizome. Each growth is actually an individual plant, but several of them will be hardier if left together as a colony.

    A keiki, on the other hand, is typically the emergence of a new plant from the inflorescence, and as Marni so clearly stated, is often a reaction to distress.

    Just a guess on my part, but I suspect that, when you repotted that plant, the nases of the new growths were somewhat higher than that of the existing growth, so you potted it up deeper to compensate. That led to the death and decomposition of the roots and rhizomes that were too deep.
     
  7. Shona

    Shona New Member

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    Oh ok thank you. The terminology is rather confusing i suppose that's why I've called them kiekis. I tried hard not to break the roots and also tried to keep the top clear. I had masses of new roots grow down the side of the glass. It was amazing to see them grow so quickly.
    The brassia then has a kieki on one thick stem but it has no roots yet.