Need help with keiki

[5Seasons]

When do I remove keiki to plant? How long do the roots have to be? Currently, the longest is about 2 inches.

[Psyguy10]

well i don't have a lot of experience with keiki's, but i've read the keiki's should have at least five strong roots before you cut 'em, and to remove it you simply sever it from the stem leaving about an inch long section of stem. hope this helps.

[dgenovese1]

Hey 5Seasons,

What kind of plant are you working with? Is the keiki growing from a stem or is it growing off of the base of the plant? Answers to these questions will help me to give you a more precise answer. Of course a photo would be great too.

[camille1585]

I agree with what's been said. It would help to know what kind of orchid you are talking about. Also, in my experience, if it's phal keiki, 3 roots should be enough, as long as they are each about 2 inches long.
Do you have a ?

[Ray]

My guideline is about 4" of total root length - 1 @ 4", 2 @ 2", 4 @ 1", etc.)

[quiltergal]

That's good to know Ray. I have a Phal. equestris that has 2 Keikis on it. One has 2 good sized leaves but no roots. The other has 2 teeny leaves and one really long root (approaching the 3" mark) and shows no sign of sending out another. Strange little plant. I think it's muti-tasking too hard.

[5Seasons]

Thanks for your information. Keiki is growing from a stem (dendrobrium). Once I remove it what do I do with the dendrobrium that has two stems one of which has the keiki? There is no other activity on both stems except for the fact that it still looks healthy and green. Per Ray's advice when I looked at it this morning, it has many roots and all different sizes. I think I'll give it another two weeks or so.