Is This A Keiki??

[Justine]

So one of my orchids has looked like this for a little while-- almost like there are 2 crowns. When I first got it, it didn't look like this. Then the orchid got a little dehydrated for a time, and I nursed it back to health, and somewhere along the line its appearance changed. I am wondering if it's a keiki... what do you think?? And if it is, how will I know when it's time to remove it?

[mspatt]

It's a basal keiki and if I owned the plant, I would leave it to grow as it is and make a super display when all the spikes bloom.

The only types of keiki that I have removed are the ones that form on the actual spike. Then you wait until the roots are two or three inches long before you remove it. Sometimes the keiki can have trouble adapting to a new pot all on its own--try wrapping a bit of sphagnum around the bottom of the baby and spray daily. This will give it the benefits of more humidity and make the transfer less drastic for the new plantlet. Worked for me!!

[RosieC]

Yes, it's a basel keiki and it probably started when the parent was stressed, because doing this is a survival mechanism if the main crown is stuggling.

I would not seperate a basel keiki. Unlike kekis on spikes they are not easily seperated and often are using the parents root system. It may eventually grow it's own roots, but unless it gets to a point where it looks really easy to seperate it without damage to the parent I would leave them to grow together. If they both flower at once it could give a great display.