Roots and leaves growing near the top

[northerngirl]

Hello! I received an orchid as a gift approximately 2 years ago. I'm not sure where I read what I'm about to say next, but I followed those directions...I cut the stem near where the flowers fell off. It never flowered again, though it has new leaves and what looks like roots growing from where I cut the stem...I'm not sure what to do with this...will new flowers grow from there? It looks like new leaves and roots are starting to grow in the same spot too. Please help! I hope my photos come through ok...

[Sekhmet121]

It looks like you have baby plants. I'm not sure at what stage you cut them and put them in their own pots, but I would think that there are pretty much there now.

I'm a newbie, so I'll step back and let the experts take over, but congrats on your babies.

[Daethen]

Congratulations, you have two keikis. Baby copies of the original plant. When they have at least 3 inches total of roots (or more) you can cut the stem close on each side of them and pot them up. You now have 3 identical orchids!

[northerngirl]

Oh boy! Thanks for the quick replies everyone! Now...since these new babies are pretty attached to the original stem, I'm not sure exactly where to cut them, and what parts do I put into the new pots? Seems it would be difficult to cut them & still have the new roots/leaves intact...would I just cut the original stem where the keikis are leaving just 2 stems on the original plant? Should the roots be down into the dirt in their new home? They are pretty even with the leaves...
More importantly, what kind of earth/wood chips should they be in?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Cut the old flower stalk just below where it attaches to the baby plants (keikis). Avoid cutting through the silvery roots.

The plant with 3 roots should be easier to pot up. Use a pot with good drainage (holes) that will just fit the roots. Instead of soil, you want to buy orchid bark (large garden centers, or home improvement stores that have garden centers, should carry orchid bark). When you pot in bark, you want to water thoroughly when you water (in the sink), let the bark dry a bit until barely damp before you water again. When you pot the plant, a bamboo skewer can be permanently left in the bark, pulled a little bit out of the bark every few days to see if it is damp or not, and use that to determine if you should water or wait.

The keiki with two roots could be a bit more difficult to pot. The way the plant is now, you would have one root down in the bark, the other up in the air. You could pot it that way and see what happens. Or, you could wait, leave it attached to the mother plant, and see if it grows more roots, then pot it in bark like the other plant.

[northerngirl]

Thank you so much! How long until the new keikis bloom? I'm still hoping my original plant will bloom again. Any advice?
It currently sits across from a large window that gets the morning sun & I water it once a week.

[Dan796]

I've grown over 500 Phals in my time.
I think the Orchid Whisperer gave you perfect advice!
I will add though that the longer the keiki stays on the mother plant,
the stronger it will grow once separated and potted.
I've let them stay on the mother plant for up to a year.
Misting the keiki roots will help mother and daughter equally.
On average they will grow and bloom within 2 years after separation.
Or even 1 year or less faster if left on the mother plant to grow as long as possible.
Sometimes the keiki will even bloom while still attached to the mother plant if left there long enough.
Many times Phals will put out keikis if they are not able to bloom. Many times due to it's environmental temps.
Phals need a chilling period at night for 2-4 weeks at 55-60 degrees, and at least 10 to 15 degrees warmer during the day in order to initiate buds.
Spiking will usually start on a healthy plant within 2-3 weeks after chilling.

Good luck!
Keep us posted!

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