Do I have to remove a Keiki from a mini Phalaenopsis?

[TrishaBerger]

Hey everyone, my mini Phalaenopsis has a Keiki with 2 leaves growing from the bottom of it. I've been wondering, do I have to separate it from the mother? I bought this mini to mount it in my Orchid tree, can I mount the whole thing as one? If I can I'd like to keep them together when I mount them up in the tree, but not if it is slowly going to drain the mother plant of all her energy.

If I leave them together will they both continue to grow, and flower?

Thanks in advance for any input!

[Orchid Whisperer]

You should leave them together if you want the basal keiki to live. If you separate them, the basal keiki is too young and will die.

[TrishaBerger]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

You should leave them together if you want the basal keiki to live. If you separate them, the basal keiki is too young and will die.

Thank you, and yes I agree it is still too young right now. Is there any reason that I will have to remove it in the future? I'd like to leave them together and just not separate them at all?

[WhiteRabbit]

It's fine to not separate them.

[Roberta]

If you keep them together, they may both bloom, making a much better display. Big, strong plants are much better than small weak ones!

[camille1585]

Basal keikis generally don't need to be taken off, unlike aerial keikis. Their roots quickly establish in the pot, and so can sustain the new plant without burdening the mother plant. I have a Phal with 2 mature and very large basal keikis, and it's doing wonderfully. They haven't bloomed all at once yet, but when they do, it'll be quite a sight.

[TrishaBerger]

That is great to hear, thank you Roberta! I just got even more excited about this mini Phal's future. A big healthy plant with the possibility of multiple blooms sounds awesome!

Camille1585 Thank you very much for your explanation! I hope to see pictures of your Phal and it's Keikis blooming soon! :-)

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