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Hello Out There!
Last weekend's AOS Trustees Orchid Show in San Antonio
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Encyclia cordigera
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marked the end of the 2011 show season for Oak Hill Gardens. It was a very well planned and well-run show; the Alamo Orchid Society did a wonderful job with it, and should be congratulated on a successful show. As much as the Oak Hill crew feels like we deserve (or at least "need") a rest during the holidays, we are already excited about the Winter/Spring show season, which starts up again for us at the end of January. We have already booked space at several shows all the way through June (with more to come in between). It's never too early to put these dates on your calendar. That's why we have just updated the "Upcoming Events" page on our website. Check it out to pinpoint a show or shows near you! And remember, we offer a 10% discount on plants pre-ordered for any show or lecture - it's never too early to order..... Below check out a brief description of the three specials we have for the month of November.  | |
Laelia tenebrosa
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Plus Liese has an informative article on the subject of "Keikis" in her Tip-of-the-Month column at the bottom of the newsletter. Thank you for your support. We wish you the best for the upcoming Thanksgiving season. Best regards, Greg |
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Special of the Month - Encyclia Species
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Encyclia randii -photo courtesy of Jay Pfahl
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Discounts plus a freebie!
This is your chance to get a significant discount on two fragrant Encyclia species plus a free Epidendrum as well. Encyclia cordigera and Encyclia randii are both mounted on cedar and normally sell for $15.00 each. This month we are packaging them together at $9.99 each, plus we will throw in a Epi paniculatum for free. You will pay only $19.98 for three plants, and in the process save more than $15.00! See the link below:
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| Blooming Paphiopedilum sanderianum for sale! | |
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Paphiopedilum sanderianum
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Yes, really!
We have one first-time blooming Paphiopedilum sanderianum for sale right now. The actual plant is pictured on the right. It has been in bloom (2 flowers) for about 3 weeks now. It has a leaf span of 22" and the dangling, twisted flower petals are 16" long. The older leaves have a mild case of cell collapse, but otherwise they are firm and robust and are not discolored.
This plant is not listed on our website, but is available to be shipped next week to the first caller with a valid credit card that has enough of a ceiling on it to accommodate the $199.00 price tag plus a bit of shipping and handling.
Call Greg or Liese at 847-428-8500 if you are interested ASAP!
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Growing Tip of the Month - by Liese
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|  Keikis
How exciting! After the Phalaenopsis had bloomed out after three months of flowering, the spike was trimmed above a growth node on the stem. Now, only a few weeks later, a new spike was forming on the node where the cut was made! The spike was monitored with excitement as it steadily lengthened. Then bewilderment set in. Leaves and roots were forming on the old spike, instead of the anticipated flower buds. The plant was brought in to Oak Hill Gardens for a diagnosis and explanation.
The new plant forming on the bud spike is called a "Keiki," pronounced 'kay-key', which is the Hawaiian word for baby, or
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Keiki
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child. This occurs commonly among some varieties of orchids, and is a way for the plant to asexually reproduce on its own. Many Tolumnia, Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis species throw off keikis regularly. Some Phalaenopsis hybrids also produce keikis. We have even seen them form on the tops of the old leafless psuedobulbs of Zygopetalum, Coelogyne and Anguloa.
Usually keikis occur on a completely healthy plant. However, they sometimes are formed when the plant is stressed. Dendrobiums, for instance, produce keikis quickly if the main plant is rotted out and "on death's door." We have seen many Dendrobium plants brought to us that were planted in moss, sopping wet with roots and pseudobulbs badly rotted. The plants quickly formed a keiki in order to reproduce and survive in spite of the mistreatment.
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Keiki Cutting
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A keiki should be left alone and allowed to remain attached to the "Mother Plant" until leaves and a few nice roots have formed. At this point the keiki can be cut off the spike (below the roots, of course) and potted in a fine mix. This is usually best done in spring or summer during the plant's active growth period.
The keiki may also be left on the mother plant. Many times these keikis will actually bloom while still attached. However, this will, in many cases, prevent the parent plant from producing a new bud spike. The "Mother Plant" is putting all of it's energy into the new "baby," instead of producing more buds and flowers.
Keikis are fun to watch develop and grow. They are just one more fascinating phenomenon of the orchid growing process.
Enjoy yer hobby!
Liese
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Happy Thanksgiving from most of us at........
Greg, Liese and Hermann |
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