mormode ingenium x self "keiki or regular growth?"

[kindrag23]

So my mormode ingenium(sp?) Has a new growth 1/2 way up the pseudobulb and a tiny one coming in off the bottom of the plant the pseudobulb is only about 6 inches tall. So is it a keiki growing off the middle or an oddly placed growth?

[kindrag23]

sorry pics are sideways...my phone has decided to be tempormental.

[orchidsarefun]

one of my catasetums did the same thing last year. I found a paragraph on the internet that said that this was common and the bulb could be put on its side or left upright. When the new shoot has roots 3-5 in long, you should twist off the growth and plant separately. I wouldn't twist it off as logic tells you its feeding off the mother bulb ?
With mine the basal growth took over and the side-shoot didn't grow any larger and just withered.

[kindrag23]

Hmm. How odd. I will keep an eye on it and see how it does. I may wait for it to get upwards to 4 inches or more before I attempt to remove it. I will have to be careful because it has a small growth at the base as well. lol. Man orchids never know what they will pull on you. hehe

[isurus79]

Catasetinae don't make keikis, they just have growths farther up the bulb than normal. I wouldn't take it off.

[kindrag23]

Good to know. How would you suggest I keep this upright once it gets larger?

[isurus79]

You can stake it, but once the root find their way to the media they will hold up the plant.

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by isurus79

You can stake it, but once the root find their way to the media they will hold up the plant.

Great thank you.

[AvantGardner]

I have had this happen thrice this year. The first on a mormodia I tried to twist off but ended up breaking the roots off the growth . The second on the same plant I cut off with a sterile knife and potted separately, it took off and is doing just fine. The third on a cycnodes I cut as well, and it is just now starting to grow, little by little. The mother bulbs are doing fine and maturing basal growths. The "keikis" (minus the decapitated one) are all doing fine as well.

That being said, my cyc cooperi started a new growth halfway up it's bulb, that I turned sideways and left intact. It was a first bloomer last year and the bulb was not very big, so I felt the two needed each other for survival.

Don't really know where I'm going with this or if it helps. Just saying, plants are very adaptable and want to survive as much as we do. If the bulb is full of vitality and the upper growth looks like it can support itself, give it a chance. If either look weak, keep them together. Just my rookie opinion.