Phal growth... What is it?

[Arod06182]

I'm new to "orchiding"... The Phal I had finished flowering, I did nothing to plant but continued to water it.. About 3 weeks after the last bloom had fallen off, 2 buds appeared on old stalks. Again, I did nothing but water. Lol. I read that they can flower again in ideal situations... I live in an apt, so not sure how ideal that is... The buds have continued to grow... I thought it was reflowering, but I think I'm wrong. I have attached a picture, does anyone know what this is? And what I should do?

[turock]

Welcome to the forum!! And congratulations! Your orchid is having a baby!

What you're seeing is called a keiki, and it is a brand new orchid growing off the old spike. Continue to water and fertilize with a higher nitrogen (green growth promoting) fertilizer, and the little guy will gradually turn into a full grown orchid!

You can then choose to leave it on the mother plant and have two flowering orchids, or cut it off after the baby plant has a good root system. It will be identical to the mother plant, so you could keep it to have two twin orchids, or give it to someone you know would appreciate it.

Keikis are usually a good thing... who doesn't want more orchids?? But, if your plant continues to make keikis year after year instead of flowers, this indicates that you need to give it lower temperatures during the fall and winter to get it to flower instead of grow babies.

[wintergirl]

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