Keikies.....

[aileenmadrigal]

Hi! I know that a keiki is another plantet but can they appear in the crowns of Phalaenopsis? Also, can you take off vanda Keikies with no roots? All answers appreciated!

[MattWoelfsen]

Phalaenopsis usually grow keiki at the base or on flower stalks. If you have a keiki growing at the crown of a Phalaenopsis that is unusual. If the keiki grows roots, then I suppose the parent plant is terminating it self?

Vanda are actually a close relative of Phalaenopsis. They do grow keiki at the base of the plant. You should not remove it until it has roots of its own. Some advise indicates that the roots should be at least an inch or two before it can be removed.

Depending of the Vanda, some orchidists keep keiki on the plant as more fans equal a spectacular bloom display.

[jkofferdahl]

Pics of the issue would be helpful.

For a Phal to develop a keiki at the crown is highly unusual. It indicates that the parent plant is saying goodbye. Most likely the mother plant will live a while yet, however, and be able to support the keiki as it develops.

No keiki, on any genus, can successfully be removed before it develops roots - unless the point of the removal is to kill the keiki. You should allow the keiki to develop a total of 2" - 4" of healthy root before removing it.