Any experience with double top Phaleonopsis?

[JanS]

Hi!
I just brought home a Phal orchid that I bought a few months ago for my elderly mom at Home Depot. At the time it was your typical blooming Phal. However, since then it seems to have developed a new top (see enclosed picture). I have never had this happen to my Phals. As you can see in the photo, the new top is also letting out roots. Should I cut it off to start a new plant? Wait for it to separate somehow? It would be cool to keep the two together and let them flower... Does anyone have any advice on this?

Many thanks!

[Zoi2]

Congrats, it's a basal keiki. Leave it alone and you'll get flowers off it and the mother plant....fantastic display.
Joann

[boytjie]

I've got one of those Home Depot Phals that produced three basal keikis. I kept the whole thing in one pot, and it's huge - about 2.5 feet across - but when it blooms, it's pretty darn impressive.

[RosieC]

Agree with the advice above.

Basil keikis are sometimes caused by stress to the main plant, but sometimes they just happen.

It would be difficult to seperate without damage to both, so they are usually left together and you can get great displays if both flower together.

[camille1585]

Congrats on the keiki! It'll be an awesome show when the plant blooms from both crowns. Like Rosie says, basal keikis can be difficult to remove and most people prefer having a bigger plant anyways.

[tucker85]

I agree with the previous posts. My phals with keikis have done best when I just leave them alone and let them grow.

[JanS]

Thank you all for the very informative posts! I am leaving my "keiki" phal as-is and can't wait for it to bloom!