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Sep 7, 2023 10:16 AM CST
Thread OP
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Has anyone ever used Keiki Paste to start new plants? Had any success?

Apparently its used to start orchids such as Phalaenopsis and Dendrobiums, and also on Monstera and Philodendrons. It sounds like fascinating stuff.
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Sep 9, 2023 12:03 PM CST
JC NJ/So FL (Zone 7b)
Amaryllis Hydroponics Houseplants Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography
Bromeliad Aroids Tropicals Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
it's used to increase bud production. Mostly on phals. But even then some plants will not grow leaves/roots to form a new plant.
I've had a Phal that spontaneously formed several Keiki (leaflets that can grow into a new plant), so after i cut them off i used the paste to produce the 2nd generation of keiki on the same flower stem.
You have to wait for roots to form before you separate them.
They are slow to grow, but you do get a clone of mama that will bloom in a few years. I had 3 generations this way.
I also have used it to encourage leaf bud formation on Crotons and Ficus lyrata: to increase branching. But mostly to increase the number of new branches after air-layering. It is hit and miss: sometimes even after a bud will form it will not develop further.
Last edited by skylark Sep 9, 2023 12:08 PM Icon for preview
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Sep 9, 2023 1:23 PM CST
Thread OP
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Thank you. I have had Phals grow keikis in the past but none of my current plants are inclined to.

I got the paste yesterday and am now looking at my Phals to see which might be a good candidate. Smiling
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Sep 9, 2023 3:44 PM CST
JC NJ/So FL (Zone 7b)
Amaryllis Hydroponics Houseplants Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography
Bromeliad Aroids Tropicals Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
you should repost this in Orchid forum: where people who use the paste 'live'. you'll get more advice.
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Sep 12, 2023 12:42 AM CST
Thread OP
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Used the keiki paste in 3 phalaenopsis today. The instructions that came with the paste say lower nodes grow keikis and upper nodes grow flowers. I'll let you know in a month how it worked. Crossing Fingers!
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Sep 30, 2023 4:19 PM CST
Thread OP
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Signs of something! All 3 Phalaenopsis have a tiny bud on the stem. YAY!! All 3 are the lowest node, apparently giving them a better chance of being a keiki than an upper node.

Thumb of 2023-09-30/Lucy68/f63314

Thumb of 2023-09-30/Lucy68/e24fc0

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Oct 9, 2023 5:14 PM CST
JC NJ/So FL (Zone 7b)
Amaryllis Hydroponics Houseplants Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography
Bromeliad Aroids Tropicals Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
that's good! i have paste but sort of misplaced it and stopped using it.
I should put it on some of my Phals too.
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Apr 24, 2024 10:36 PM CST
Name: Gigi AdeniumPlumeria
Florida (Zone 9b)
Adeniums Roses Plumerias Orchids Miniature Gardening Hibiscus
Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Butterflies Garden Ideas: Level 1
I realize this is an old post but I'm interested to know more about the result. Also, what does a keiki paste look like?
©by Gigi Adenium Plumeria "Gardening is my favorite pastime. I grow whatever plant that catches my attention. I also enjoy hand pollinating desert roses.”
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Apr 25, 2024 1:14 AM CST
Thread OP
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
I didn't have any success with the Phalaenopsis. I thought I'd try again now that its spring. The container is tiny but you use it by the toothpick full so its a several year supply. It looks like sticky glue.
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Apr 25, 2024 5:23 AM CST
Name: Gigi AdeniumPlumeria
Florida (Zone 9b)
Adeniums Roses Plumerias Orchids Miniature Gardening Hibiscus
Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Butterflies Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thank You! Lucy! Would love to hear an update and hope you succeed this time. I have a few phals I'd love to get a clone.
©by Gigi Adenium Plumeria "Gardening is my favorite pastime. I grow whatever plant that catches my attention. I also enjoy hand pollinating desert roses.”
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Apr 25, 2024 3:26 PM CST
N. California (Zone 10b)
As with all plant hormones it is really important to have fresh product. It doesn't keep for a year or more even in the fridge.
Also, VERY important that one wears gloves and does not allow the stuff to contact one's skin.
I used to use it all the time on difficult tropicals. Mixed results always, even on the same species. YMMV
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Apr 25, 2024 3:45 PM CST
Name: Gigi AdeniumPlumeria
Florida (Zone 9b)
Adeniums Roses Plumerias Orchids Miniature Gardening Hibiscus
Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Butterflies Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thank You! for the reminder. I would be thrilled if it will work even just on some of phals that I've had for a few years!
©by Gigi Adenium Plumeria "Gardening is my favorite pastime. I grow whatever plant that catches my attention. I also enjoy hand pollinating desert roses.”
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Apr 27, 2024 3:36 PM CST
Thread OP
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
I re-examined the 4 plants I used the Keiki paste on. Three fails but look at this! LIttle Phalaenopsis Honeybee is a trooper. I put the paste on the bottom node and it is growing this. Looks sort of like a root but Crossing Fingers! its a keiki.
Thumb of 2024-04-27/Lucy68/d18f4b

There are two more somethings at the top on the same old bloom stalk. I can't remember if I used keiki paste at the top. I don't think so as that was one of the warnings (use on just one node per stem).
Thumb of 2024-04-27/Lucy68/7edab4

Its a very enthusiastic plant with 2 more blooms stalks currently open.
Thumb of 2024-04-27/Lucy68/abf979
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Apr 27, 2024 7:39 PM CST
Name: Gigi AdeniumPlumeria
Florida (Zone 9b)
Adeniums Roses Plumerias Orchids Miniature Gardening Hibiscus
Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Butterflies Garden Ideas: Level 1
That's a pretty one Lucy! Congratulations on your Keiki! Lovey dubby


Oh I would probably give it a try then. I have my orchids that I've had in my office pre-covid and they are still doing great but no sign of keiki. On the other hand a friend of mine planted here phal orchid in a regular potting soil and she got a lot of blooms and keikis on hers. And she just treat it like any of her houseplants in orchid bark with added potting soil. Confused
©by Gigi Adenium Plumeria "Gardening is my favorite pastime. I grow whatever plant that catches my attention. I also enjoy hand pollinating desert roses.”
Last edited by GigiAdeniumPlumeria Apr 27, 2024 7:41 PM Icon for preview
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Apr 27, 2024 9:26 PM CST
Thread OP
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
I had a Phal that grew keikis on every bloom stalk - some seem more prone then others. Maybe she's lucky enough to have one of them.
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