keiki on dying spike on phaleanopsis - what do I do?

[cldonovan]

A few weeks back a keiki appeared on my phal (her name is Amoureuse I have had Amoureuse for about 2.5 years and this is the 2nd keiki. I cut the first one too early and it didn't make it, unfortunately. I don't want to make the same mistake again! The new keiki has two leaves and is about 1 inch tall. It has one long root that it about 1 inch and 2 very small roots that have just appeared (probably ~1/16 of an inch). I was happy to let the keiki get much bigger until I noticed yesterday that the spike on which it is growing is turning yellow and drying out. What should I do? Is it too early to cut? I also don't want to risk Amoureuse, who is starting to seem weak - her leaves seem softer/flimsier than they use to. Any help would be much appreciated!!

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
The "rule of thumb" is 3 roots, 3 inches long. In your case you may have to separate it earlier. What potting medium did you plant the previous keiki in and why didn't it make it?
Can you post a picture of the keiki and mother plant?
Joann

[cldonovan]

Thank you for your response! Here are some photos - it looks like the spike has dried beyond the keiki but might be doing fine up to it. What do you think?
When you say 3 roots 3 inches long, do you mean each of the three roots should be 3 inches each or a total of 3 inches of root (e.g. 1 inch each)?
And to respond to your question: the orchid is in wood chips. I'm not sure what kind but I picked them up at my local orchid grower.

[WhiteRabbit]

at least 3 roots, with at least a total of 3"

[nenella]

I'd try and leave it as long as possible.. try and spray the keiki roots as often as possible so they grow longer.
If the spike completely dries out, you'll have to pot the keiki up. Into what? really depends on your growing conditions... which comes to the point Joann raised earlier :-
"In your case you may have to separate it earlier. What potting medium did you plant the previous keiki in and why didn't it make it?"
Let us know & I'm sure you'll get plenty of feed back from OB members and get your keikies to develop into adults ! Good luck!

[cldonovan]

Hi everyone, thank you for the replies!
Nenella and Joann, I put the last Keiki in the same pot as its mom (wood chips). The problem was definitely that I didn't let its roots develop enough (it only had one little tiny one) and I cut it too early. I've read much more about since then so I know I was at fault (vary sad!).
I should also say that Amoureuse is putting out another spike. Is that a sign that everything is ok so far? This will be the third. (in case it isn't clear: the Keiki is on the first spike - which has dried beyond the Keiki but still seems OK up to the Keiki - the second is an old (1.5 yr+) spike that never flowered and the third is brand new and about 1/4 inch long). Should I cut the second spike?

[Orchid126]

You might consider tucking a damp ball of sphagnum moss around those roots and then wrapping it in some plastic wrap. The roots may start growing into the moss and you'll have a bit of a head start.

[CanadianShe_Wolf]

So happy I stumble4d across this site tonight! I just purchased 5 orchids today, along with the new pots to give them a new home. I also got the chips and the moss for the top. This discussion was a bonus!
The gal at the garden centre was extra helpful too......so today for me has been very ful-filling!

Carol/CSW/cas

[Zildjian]

what happened to your keiki? The lower portion of the spike should have been fine though. I wrapped mine in coco husk.