KEIKI Meaning and
Definition
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Keiki is a Hawaiian word commonly used in English to describe the offspring or young of a plant, specifically referring to orchids. In horticulture, it represents the newly formed plantlets that grow on the aerial roots of orchids. These tiny keikis originate from nodes or buds found along the stem or in the crown of the parent plant, and they have the potential to develop into individual orchid plants.
Keikis are essentially clones of their parent plant, inheriting its genetic material. They often appear as small, miniature versions of the mature plant, complete with roots and leaves. These plantlets are formed naturally by the orchid as a method of propagation or can be induced artificially through various methods like cutting or meristem culture. Keiki production often occurs when certain conditions are met, such as high humidity, warm temperatures, and appropriate lighting.
Once the keikis have developed their own roots and are strong and independent enough to sustain themselves, they can be detached from the parent plant and grown separately. This can be done by carefully separating the keiki from the mother plant and placing it in appropriate potting material or medium. Keikis have the advantage of quicker growth compared to starting an orchid from seed, making them popular among orchid enthusiasts. Additionally, they can also be shared with other orchid enthusiasts to propagate and expand the genetic diversity of various orchid species.
Common Misspellings for KEIKI
Etymology of KEIKI
The word "Keiki" is of Hawaiian origin. In Hawaiian, "keiki" means "child" or "offspring". It is commonly used in Hawaiian culture to refer to a young child or a person's descendants. The word can also be used more broadly to refer to any young living creature, such as a plant or an animal.
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