Here's a tip that was initially published by my friends Bill Tippit and Ed Wright for vanda type orchids, but I have used it with success with Phals.

So, what do you do with a "leggy" Phal? Here's a photo of venosa 'Frank Smith' HCC/AOS that has become rather leggy. With the whack it back technique, you divide the plant into 2 pieces, each with a number of good roots. The top piece has foliage and roots and the bottom piece is just a stump with roots. To survive, the stump needs to grow foliage for photosynthesis and food production ... and if we're lucky, that's exactly what it will do.

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Eric Goo

Here are close-ups of the 2 pieces after the plant was divided.

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Eric Goo

The plant was divided last August and the tiny keiki has grown into a nice plant with 8 roots. So, today I removed and potted the keiki. I will keep growing the stump just like any other plant. I am hoping for more keikis - either from the base or the remaining spikes. I'll update this post if/when something noteable happens.

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Eric Goo

Your post proves the often quoted saying " a picture is worth a thousand words", and what wonderful pictures they are. I can't wait for a lanky plant so I can try that technique .

This is great. thanks Eric.

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Peter Lin, Admin
Big Leaf Orchids

Very interesting, thanks.

Thanks for the little photo essay... which would you expect first, a aerial keiki or basal keiki? Does it depend on the species?

Thanks for the comments! I thought this would make a good topic for the forum, which is why I've been working on the post since August. The photos make it a lot easier to understand than just words, so wanted to have a few to illustrate the method. It's a very easy way to get keikis when the opportunity presents itself. The key is to make sure both pieces have good roots and then grow them normally.

Tony, When I've tried this in the past, the plants didn't have old spikes on them and always formed basal keikis. I think the answer to your question revolves around nodes - does the plant have any dormant nodes and if so, which are the easiest ones for the plant to break dormancy. I don't know if dormancy can be broken eaiser on nodes on the base of the plant or the spikes or if it varies from plant to plant. Since I can't tell for sure if the base/stump has any dormant nodes (although I assume it does), I left the spikes on. I should know more in a few months ... at least as far as this plant goes.

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Eric Goo

Hi all,

This is very interesting.

Eric,

Do you have any updates on what happened to the stump?

Francis

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http://www.phalaenopsisandmore.co.uk
With the kind permission of Peter lin

Yes, would be great to see the development!!
Thanks

Eric is no longer a member on this forum. I am locking this thread since questions directed at him will not get a response.


Peter Lin

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Peter Lin, Admin
Big Leaf Orchids