Broken spike

[Strange Design]

Hello!

I have never posted here before but I thought I would give it a go! We have a few Phalaenopsis (I think that's what they all are). We don't know a lot about them. I had a questions about one of them and was hoping I could get some help.

So one of my orchids met my preschooler and it didn't go so well for the orchid. The spike broke way at the bottom. The spike had 2 leaves at the time. We stuck the spike in some rooting hormone and stuck it in a plastic bag with some cotton balls and water. It actually seems to be growing good! It's been about 2-3 months and it now has 3 leaves and a new root is shooting out opposite the leaves!

My question is how long should I leave him in the plastic bag of water? I looked at the end that is in the bag and nothing seems to be happening down there. I thought about changing the water because there was a little blackish tint starting in the water. And if I do need to change the water should I add rooting hormone again?

I really can't believe this guy is still alive! I just don't know what to do for him next

[dendro king]

just change the bag and water and cotton balls no hormone needed its already growing well by the sounds of it!!
:P

[Mira-Claude]

Can we have pictures?

[Strange Design]

Hmmm...I got some pictures but it denied my post. I'll try to post some in the morning though.

The end that is in the water does look a little black, now that I got it into some decent light. Hopefully that's not a problem, but definitely need to change the water.

[dendro king]

cut the black bit off!!

[Strange Design]

I can't seem to get the pictures to post.

It says: Post denied. New posts are limited by number of URLs it may contain and checked if it doesn't contain forbidden words.

maybe I am too new to post pictures?

Thanks DendroKing! We'll cut the black off now!

[Strange Design]

I added a picture to my photo gallery here on Orchid Boards but I am still getting the same post denied when I try to link it to this post.

[Mira-Claude]

Haa!!
A little keiki!
If you have sphagnum moss you can try wrapping some around the base of the keiki to promote root growth. Humidify the moss when dry. When you have a few more roots, or when the old spike will be too far gone you'll be able to pot the baby on it's own by simply cutting the spike as close to it as possible!
For the spike, cut the very tip where it is black, change the cotton ball and do rooting hormone. I don't know if it will work, but it can't hurt!
Have a nice day!

[Strange Design]

What is a keiki?

[Mira-Claude]

a keiki is a baby orchid growing where you are not used to seeing one.
it can be on a root or a spike.
the mother plants feed them until they are separated. But in your case, you did by putting the spike in cotton balls.
Congratulation!