Phal keiki or new spike?

[cythaenopsis]

By the way, when the rotten velum is stripped away, does that inner core of the root still function? Should it be snipped off? I take it if the plant didn't need them, they'd fall off naturally...

[RosieC]

Many people say it doesn't work without the velum. I'm not entirely convinced either way, and have had the impression when I've been saving orchids from root rot that those where I leave them on have done better. It's just an impression thought.

If nothing else they do help stabilise it in the pot so I would leave them on.

[cythaenopsis]

^ OK, sounds good. I discovered that first hand, trimming most of the dead roots and then finding the plant isn't quite as stable as it was before. Hopefully the new roots coming in will make up for it.


That new spike is shooting out in a hurry--must be about 1-2mm per day!