Kiki

[larrylwill]

One of my Phalaenopsis orchids has grown 2 kiki's off the stem. One put out an air root and I cut it but I didnt think its getting any water and the air root looks dead. Here's a picture of the 2nd one. How can I grow this into a full size orchid?

[Ray]

No photo was attached, but as long as the keiki is attached to the mother plant, it is still a part of it and is fine.

I recommend 3”-4” of total root length before detaching them and potting them with the roots in the potting medium. After that, you can pretty much treat it just like the others.

[larrylwill]

Sorry I thought I did. Here it is.
How far below the leaves and root should I cut?
How do you keep it watered with no roots other than areal.

[Ray]

I see no roots coming from the keiki, so it is absolutely not ready to be separated from the flower spike.

As I said earlier, my rule of thumb is 3”-4” of roots, whether 1@3-4” or 3 or 4@1”.

[rbarata]

Definitely not ready yet!
It might take some months.

[larrylwill]

I know when to remove it. I waited for 4" of air root for the first one. My question is

1.How much stem to leave under the root?
2. Since its an air root, how do I water it.
The first one's air root seems to have died.

This one is bigger, and I have one node left, maybe another after removing this one.

Thanks

[rbarata]

1. Not really important. Leave a small length of the spike on each side of the keiki. It will aid the stability.

2. Just put it in contact with water. Usually I use a spray bottle.