Repotting/Keiki - Orchid Board

serindipity · #1 07-11-2009, 10:58 PM

This is also posted in an older post of mine in the "propagation" forum, but feel this is also a beginner question! It's actually 4 questions in one because I am so new at this and am afraid of killing the plants! Any feedback and advice is truly appreciated.

I hopefully have attached the images, but you can see in each the full size of the orchid, and also a pot in the background. Would this be a good size to repot in, or is the one it is already in an okay size? I am very new to this, I've been handling orchids for about 3-4 years now, but have never been this involved, which probably sounds horrible to have not repotted one before. I have always been afraid of killing the plant I guess! I divided it into three separate questions to make it easier to read, and I hope it doesn't sound demanding or anything!

Okay, I was able to figure out how to attach images! In the first image, that's my whole plant with keiki and the new pot in the background. My first question is, should I put the original orchid in the bigger pot, and the keiki in the original pot? Or should I buy a smaller pot for the keiki?

Second question: Should I trim back the spikes? I am so afraid of killing the plants!

Third Question: If you look in the picture of the closeup, I think there's a second keiki growing near the base. Is this correct? If so, how would I separate it from the original orchid?

Fourth (sorry I know I said three!) question: Is the keiki on the spike large/old enough to pot by itself?

Thank you so much to anyone who can offer any advice, I really appreciate it!

Erin

Ray · #2 07-12-2009, 12:39 PM

Personally, I would move it to that new pot. It's not SO much bigger that it would be a problem.

I would remove the spike altogether, so the plant can put its energy into getting established in the new pot.

That is a "basal" keiki (growing from the base of the mother plant), so shares the root system. You will likely not be able to separate it (sometimes as they mature they grow their own roots, but even then it can be risky to separate them). Look at it this way: most likely both will spike when they're ready - double the flowers.

My rule-of-thumb about separating keikies from the spike is to wait until they have a total of 3" or 4" of roots - one @ 4" or 4 @ 1", or whatever. Looks to me like that can safely be potted up.

serindipity · #3 07-12-2009, 10:08 PM

Thank you! I didn't know there were "spike" keiki as well as basil keiki.

I will do as you suggest and do the transfer of the spike keiki, repot the original, and cut back the spike.

What's a good rule of thumb for cutting back spikes? I've read the second spike is good, any reason not to do so?

Also, when I am repotting, I have watched videos on repotting orchids, and when I remove dead and rotted roots, how do I know the difference between the live and dead roots? Should I also wash the roots?

Sorry, one more question: Should I go ahead and pot the keiki in bark soil?

Thank you for your answer, this has really helped me out!

Ray · #4 07-13-2009, 09:07 AM

My thoughts on cutting the spike are here: Spike Cutting

Repot the keiki into whatever medium is working for you now, but recognize that different-sized pots will have different drying-out times, so you may have to adjust your watering schedule specific to each potted plant.

Dead roots will likely be brown-to-black and "squishy", while healthy ones will be firm to the gentle squeeze. Remove any soft parts from otherwise firm ones, too.