Basal growth

[dovewill]

Does anyone know any way to stimulate basal growth in Neps :?:

[Guest asr]

The most simple way is to lop off the growth point; this induces the germination of axillary buds, though whether this takes place at the base of the plant or immediately below where it has been cut depends on the plant, how far it has been cut back etc.

To do it without chopping off the growing tip, you need to simulate a loss of apical dominance (apical dominance describes the effect that the main growth point - or rather the growth regulators it produces - has on the rest of the plant; in the case of Nepenthes, it tends to inhibit lateral shoot germination). Either allow the plant to get really leggy so that the distance from base to tip increases, or bend the tip of the plant down to below soil level (easy if it's in a big pot or a hanging basket) and keep it there. None of these methods can guarantee basal growth, but they'll certainly increase its likelihood.

[dovewill]

Thanks for that asr,

Ill give it a go.

[TunaSurprise]

I have heard that keiki paste (no idea where to get it, looking for it myself) will make that plant look like a bush if you put it on the leaf nodes.

[Guest asr]

Tuna,

Most big orchid suppliers sell keiki paste; keiki is Hawai'ian for 'baby', and simply refers to a plant produced from the nodes of a mother plant, most commonly from those on the inflorescence, since the term 'basal keiki' is used to refer to those produced from the base of the plant itself.

So what you're after doesn't have to be called 'keiki paste' - you want any cytokinin based hormone paste for the stimulation of dormant axial nodes. Ask around some orchid nurseries, especially those that deal in Phalaenopsis and Denbrobium, and you'll probably have some luck.

Alastair.