Keiki paste is a specialized plant product designed to stimulate new growth from dormant areas on plants. It encourages additional shoots and branches, enhancing plant fullness and promoting propagation efforts.
What is Keiki Paste and How Does it Work
Keiki paste primarily consists of cytokinins, plant hormones, often suspended in a lanolin base. The most common cytokinin, 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BAP), is a synthetic compound effective at promoting cell division. Lanolin helps ensure a slow and consistent release of the hormone into the plant tissue.
When applied to a plant’s dormant node, the cytokinins in the paste override apical dominance, a natural process where the main stem grows preferentially. This hormone encourages rapid cell division in the dormant cells at the node, “waking up” these growth points. Activated cells then form new shoots, leaves, or new plantlets, depending on the plant species.
Why Use Keiki Paste on Philodendrons
Using keiki paste on philodendrons offers several advantages. It encourages bushier growth by stimulating new branches from existing stems, leading to a fuller appearance. For leggy philodendrons with long, bare stems, the paste promotes new growth lower down, improving the plant’s overall shape.
Keiki paste also aids propagation by encouraging new growth points from dormant nodes, which can be separated as new plants. This method allows for the multiplication of preferred philodendron varieties without traditional stem cuttings. The paste coaxes the plant into producing additional growth where desired.
Applying Keiki Paste to Philodendrons
Before applying keiki paste, ensure your philodendron is healthy and actively growing; stressed plants may not respond effectively. Identify a suitable dormant node on the stem where you want new growth to emerge. Nodes are small bumps or joints along the stem where leaves or aerial roots previously grew.
Gently prepare the node by lightly scratching its surface with a clean, sterilized tool like a toothpick or pin. This slight abrasion creates a small access point for paste absorption. For philodendrons with very thin stems, scoring might not be necessary, or a tiny pinprick can suffice.
Using a clean cotton swab or toothpick, apply a small amount of keiki paste directly onto the prepared node. A pea-sized amount or less is usually sufficient, as a little goes a long way. Avoid over-application, which can lead to excessive or unwanted growth.
Once applied, the paste is water-resistant and remains on the node. Be precise with your application, targeting only the desired dormant growth point. The goal is to deliver growth-stimulating hormones directly to the area where new development is intended.
After Application Care and Expected Results
After applying keiki paste, maintaining optimal growing conditions for your philodendron is important to support stimulated growth. Provide consistent, bright, indirect light and proper watering, allowing the topsoil to dry slightly between waterings. Adequate humidity also benefits new growth, as philodendrons are tropical plants.
New growth typically becomes visible within 2 to 8 weeks, though this timeline varies depending on the plant’s overall health and environmental factors. Observe the treated node swelling and eventually sprouting a new shoot or leaf. Patience is key, as some plants may take longer to show results.
If the plant is well-fed, it will have the energy reserves needed to support new development. Continue your regular fertilization schedule, providing mild plant food to fuel emerging growth. The appearance of new shoots confirms the paste’s effectiveness.
Tips for Success and Common Issues
For best results, always apply keiki paste to healthy, well-rooted philodendrons in an active growth phase. Using the paste on a stressed or unhealthy plant may lead to unsatisfactory outcomes, as the plant lacks the energy to produce new growth. Focus on one or a few nodes at a time to allow the plant to direct its energy efficiently.
A common issue is a lack of new growth, often attributed to the plant’s health or insufficient light and nutrients. Roots may develop instead of shoots if the auxin (rooting hormone) to cytokinin ratio is imbalanced or the node is inclined to produce roots. While keiki paste primarily promotes shoots, some formulations might influence root development.
Avoid applying too much paste, as excessive amounts can lead to abnormal or stunted growth. If no growth appears after several weeks, reassess the plant’s care routine and consider reapplying a small amount of paste. Remember that keiki paste is a tool to encourage natural processes, and consistent care remains essential for success.