Rooting at the top?

[Michael&Deanna]

Hello everyone. I bought my wife, Deanna, an orchid at Safeway (American grocery chain) for an anniversary a year and a half ago. The flowers lasted for months before dropping off, and, though it hasn't bloomed since, it appears very healthy. But it seems to be rooting from near the top of the plant now, and we're not sure what this means. Is it sign of a grafted plant? Is it normal? Should we cut the top portion free and root it as a separate plant? We would appreciate any advice you can give on this very much. I've searched online but cannot find anything on this. (see attached photo)

[ronaldhanko]

It's called a keiki and is indeed a new plant that can be removed from the spike and potted. Either break it loose or cut off the part of the spike it's on and pot it up like the plant you've already got, though in a smaller pot.

[CTB]

Congrats! This is your first baby. I have a couple of keikis on my dendrobium and I left mine attached I'm hoping I can get them to bloom at the same time.
Enjoy!

[Michael&Deanna]

Thanks, folks! It's really amazing -- keiki, hmm, once you told me the name for it, it was easy to search for and find reams of information. I really thought I was good at internet searches, but I could NOT find anything about this until you set me straight. Dee and I really appreciate the help. We're already collecting info on how to do the cutting and potting of 'junior'.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board Michael & Deanna

Your keiki looks like it has plenty of root to be seperated and potted on it's own. Certain Phals (Phalaenopsis Orchids) are quite prone to producing these on their spikes, others do it more rarely.