Advice on phalaenopsis repotting and keiki

[dfwcre8tive]

I need some orchid advice. I've been growing my orchid collection and they seem to do fine (when I ignore them or go out of town I return to find baby plants or blooms). I just don't know what to do after the bloom cycle.

With my first one, I left most of the stem and soon after it produced a keiki. Then soon after it produced another flower branch. I want to repot it to better soil.

With my second one, I left the stem alone and more blooms recently came from a secondary shoot off the main stem.

How do I take off the keiki? I think it is taking all of the energy from the mother plant now and it is large enough to remove. Do i just remove it from the stem or do I cut off the stem and plant that with it?

Are the side shoots anything special or do I need to remove them?

How far down do I cut the main stem after the plant has flowered, and do I need to wait for a time to repot after this has been done?

Attached are photos of my first plant. It needs a better pot/soil (which I have purchased) and it had some sunburn issues last year, but now it is growing new roots and seems to be healthy.

Any advice would be great!

[justatypn]

dfw, most definitely your mothering plant needs a rest. The adult leaves are looking tired, which is not unusual for what it has produced.

As for the keiki, it appears the rooting system is an inch or more so with that it will do well once repotted. I would take a small pot with fresh soaked medium, using a root stimulant and place her in a medium/low light for a month or so. I usually water 5 days after the day of repotting and than every 7-10 or so thereafter for 1 month. Within this time your new addition will tell you how it is doing. Gradually move to an area of light that it was once use to as well as picking up your watering/fertilizing regimen. Slowly bring your baby around, don't rush it, just keep the watering schedule less than the norm. Keep the humidity high.

Take your mothering plant and repot it if you like once you see new roots forming. I personally would not rush into repotting as she is already stressed and no need to further stress if your medium can hold off for a few months. My personal experience is that the adult leaves will gradually wilt and yellow so don't be surprised if this happens, merely it's nature. Good luck keep us informed.

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[dfwcre8tive]

Thanks for the advice. The mother plant has shown recent root growth and new leaves. I'm going to remove the keiki and pot it separately and hold off on repotting the mother plant for awhile. Would it help to cut back the main stem, and how low should I cut that?

[jkofferdahl]

From the looks of the mother plant, you don't want the stem to regrow. The plant needs energy to grow and recover. After you remove the keiki, cut the main stem down to about an inch from the base of the plant. It'll yellow and dry, but that's normal.

Rest the mother plant a while, and it should start growing again. Basically, follow Cheryl's advice and all will be well. Plus, you'll have two plants instead of one!

[justatypn]

Two instead of one... That's what I'm talkin' about wtg....