Newbie Help!

[skepace]

I am really new to orchids and only have 5 plants at this time. I am kind of flying by the seat of my pants really enjoying it.

However, I am very nervous about repotting. I've got a plant that has some mushy roots so I thought about repotting. But on the flower steam, there are two different spots with several leaves growing out. Will it be ok to repot or will it damage the leaves growing on the steam???

Thanks for any help!!

[Erce]

leafs on the steam - i thinks thats keikis - got pic´s`?

[skepace]

Can't do a pic right now our camera broke a few days ago and I am waiting on Best Buy to fix it.

The leaves are on two different spots on the flower spike, there are no flowers on the spike though and haven't for some time.

[bodaciousbonsai]

That sure sounds like new plants starting on the old spike to me.

[Erce]

if it is what i think it is - its keikis - try making a search here - theres lots of info on keikis

[skepace]

Can I repot while it is doing this?

[trdyl]

If you have bad roots it deffianately needs to be repotted. About the spikes with the potential keikis, if it still has a good number of healthy roots you can leave them on. But, if it does not have a good root system left the spikes need to be removed in order to help save the plant. It will help the plant direct its energy into root production instead of making new plants. Pictures would be so helpful right now. I understand your situation tho.

[skepace]

Well I am repotting the plant. So far as I took it off and gently removed the media I noticed it had been planted with a ball of sage moss and that is why the roots are starting to rott as they can't dry out.

Once I can get my camera fixed, I'll post some pics.

In general, I have left all of my spikes for all my phal. Good idea or bad?

[trdyl]

Well, like I said above if it has enough good roots left the spikes can stay. If not they need to go to help keep the plant alive. How many nonrotted roots are on the plant? How many leaves does it have. How long are the leaves?

[skepace]

5 non-rotted roots, 4 1/2 leaves (I saved it from almost dyeing) and they are 6 inches long.