Is this a Keiki?

[Xraymond]

So I got this orchid a year now. It had crown rot and I was able to save it. And now it has grown two new leaves and new roots. I thought it was just sprouting new leaves but after further evaluation I feel like it’s a Keiki. But it just grew from the base of the plant. What do you think?

[FL_Orchid_Collector]

Yep, and I think that crown is toast - no more leaves will be sprouting from there but as long as it's connected to the keiki it will be giving nutrients and moisture to the keiki.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

It's not really a keiki (an independent plant) but rather a new basal growth. It's one way that a monopodial plant (one growth point) like a Phal or Vanda can survive when it loses that growth point (the crown). Some phals can produce multiple basal growths to form a clump, others may just do it to stay alive. Don't try to separate it - it shares its root system with the mother plant.

[Xraymond]

Thank you! I thought that was the case just wasn’t sure. I’m fairly new to growing orchids. I have 3 others and my biggest struggle right now is getting the watering measurements down. I’m over watering.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Xraymond

Thank you! I thought that was the case just wasn’t sure. I’m fairly new to growing orchids. I have 3 others and my biggest struggle right now is getting the watering measurements down. I’m over watering.

Question about that white pot... does it have drainage holes at the bottom? Watering is a balancing act - those roots want "humid air" not "wet". How you accomplish that has everything to do with medium and the container. Personally, I find it easier to give Phals what they need with bark rather than sphagnum. With medium bark in a well-drained container, you almost can't over-water. With sphag you need a light hand... you don't want it to get crunchy dry because then it is really hard to re-wet, but you also don't want it soggy, and it CAN hold far too much water. Either way, good drainage is critical. If the plant is in a plastic pot that can be removed from the decorative container for watering (and then be give the opportunity to drain well) that can work. But decorative containers without drainage are deadly to orchids.

[FL_Orchid_Collector]

Wow, that's really cool! There's always something new to learn about orchids and ever since I joined this board I've learned a lot from Roberta. Someone else said she won't steer you wrong and I believe it.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Welcome. And you're right. Roberta will always give you positive, detailed answers. And she's not the only one.

[Roberta]

Thanks, guys. There are lots of experienced growers on the Board who delight in sharing what they have learned about growing orchids. What is really important is to understand the "why" of suggestions. That lets you put the advice into the context of your situation. If you know the goal of what you are trying to accomplish, and the reasons behind the advice, you're in a good place to apply it - usually there are several, often many, ways to accomplish a goal so the "why" is vital.

[Xraymond]

First thanks everyone for the welcome I appreciate it. Roberta, that white pot does have a drainage hole on the bottom. Honestly that is the only plant that I have in a pot like that. The rest of them are in clear pots with lots of drainage hole. This was my first orchid and has been alive the longest. And at this point I have learned how to water this one it’s my others that I’m learning what’s too much water and what’s not enough. I don’t want to barely water them and then have to do it again the next day but I think I’m gonna go with the strategy of a little water and then add more as I learn how long that water will stay moist on the spagnum moss.