new roots on phal question - Orchid Board

mi xiao · #1 08-04-2007, 07:59 AM

hi everyone.

i am sure this is a very basic question for you, maybe even a little stupid, but i need to ask.

my newest plant (i believe a phal) has been doing VERY WELL!
it has sprouted ***2*** new roots (approx. 1.5 cm long) along the bark mixture line.
also, there is the possible keiki on the top of the old spike (the keiki also has 2 roots approx 1 cm long).

i have been misting the plant daily and watering prn.

i replanted the orchid approx 1 month ago as soon as i bought it. all this action has happened since i brought it home.

my question is do i need to worry about the new roots not being buried by the bark mixture now? should i top up the mixture? or is it ok to be out "in the open?"

pics to come, i don't have my digi camera right now. i really would like it as i would like to chronicle the growth. it seems like every morning the plant has a surprise for me!

we will worry about what to do with the possible keiki when the time comes....

thanks for your help!

Ray · #2 08-04-2007, 08:38 AM

Don't be concerned in the least about the roots. They are simply "aerial" roots as opposed , I suppose, to "subterranean" roots (although we don't grow orchids in "terra", Maybe the sub-surface roots a should be called "submedian"???) Any root growth is an excellent sign!

Basically, those aerial roots are "reaching out" to form a larger base to anchor the plant. In nature, phal's roots can go on for several feet in all directions.

As far as the keiki is concerned, when its roots reach a total of three or 4 inches of total length, you can snap it off of the spike and pot it up just like "Mom", and you then have a second, genetically identical plant.

A word of caution: You really should not be misting the plant itself. Wetting the roots is fine, but misting is really intended to raise the humidity, and wetting the leaves doesn't achieve that, and can set you up for bacterial or fungal rots. Also...what's your feeding regimen?

dennis · #3 08-04-2007, 08:40 AM

they will be fine. you can mist them, it will help them stay firm and green. one thing i do is take a little moss and put around the top of your mix and mist it daily for those roots. the keikei wait till the roots are around 3 inches before removing it

mi xiao · #4 08-04-2007, 02:04 PM

hmm...
two different opinions on misting.
and two opinions on covering.
:S
i'm guessing it is a darned if you do and darned if you don't ???

i have a low grade 19-31-17 fertilizer used about every 2 weeks or so.
let me know if you think i should be doing otherwise.

i will wait before "snapping" off the keiki until later.
i believe the plant was in some sort of trauma before i bought it as the keiki is deformed.

dennis · #5 08-04-2007, 02:36 PM

when i said misting them would be fine i did mean the roots. i never advise anyone to mist a phal because then i will get the plant back with rot and be asked if i can fix it sorry for the confusion

cupcake · #6 08-04-2007, 03:38 PM

I usually wait until the keiki has 2-3 leaves then cut the main stem and use it as a support to anchor the keiki in whatever medium you choose. I just love to get a plant for free!They make wonderful presents, Judi

mi xiao · #7 08-04-2007, 04:57 PM

ok. thank you for the clarification.

i will fertilize as instructed in other posts.

Ray · #8 08-05-2007, 08:59 AM

For a 19% N fertilizer, I would use 1/2 teaspoon per gallon at every watering.

Another "stupid keiki trick" is to bend the spike down so the keiki is sticking its roots into a fresh pot of medium. It will get established quickly, and then you can clip the spike to separate the plants.

mi xiao · #9 08-05-2007, 01:26 PM

^^^ i don't think i feel comfortable doing that yet - wish you could help me!!!
i will have to wait.

thanks for the tip on fertilizer.