how to divide phalaenopsis?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Wouldn't cutting along the top part of the stem just below the roots apply more to Vandas?

I don't think this is very advisable for Phalaenopsis.

After all, one of the most problematic plants for most people are Phalaenopsis. It's the most talked about group of plants in the Beginner's Discussion forum. Hell, it's the most talked about group of plants in the entire OB!

I'd just do the KeikiPro and not overdo it.

Do understand that in order for a mother plant to support her keikis, it has to have sufficient energy to do it, or one of two things can happen...

1. The mother plant dies and the poorly developed keikis die along with it.

2. The keikis abort.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I kinda want to add a few notes...

Phals don't grow upright. They grow horizontally.

They're monopodial. An easy way to remember it is that the prefix "mono" means alone in ancient Greek (apparently the prefix was later adopted in Latin).

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Wouldn't cutting along the top part of the stem just below the roots apply more to Vandas?

I don't think this is very advisable for Phalaenopsis.

After all, one of the most problematic plants for most people are Phalaenopsis. It's the most talked about group of plants in the Beginner's Discussion forum. Hell, it's the most talked about group of plants in the entire OB!

I'd just do the KeikiPro and not overdo it.

Do understand that in order for a mother plant to support her keikis, it has to have sufficient energy to do it, or one of two things can happen...

1. The mother plant dies and the poorly developed keikis die along with it.

2. The keikis abort.

You bring up an interesting point. Phals are supposed to be the easiest orchids to grow, but so many people overwater them! I blame it on sellers potting them in pure sphag...

[Roly0217]

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

This is because they are monopodial (meaning they only have one growth and do not form clumps).

Oppps my bad. I was thinking about the cattleyas and dendrobiums when I wrote sympodial. Thanks for the correction

[sweetjblue]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

from When and how to repot your orchids?

WhiteRabbit is correct with their info. I have a Dtps Kenneth Schubert that was getting rather leggy and I used this method which I'd heard about years ago. This was done sometime this past summer, July or August. This method is somewhat similar with what you could do with a plant that had gotten Crown Rot.

dtps_kenneth_Schubert_keikis_001 - Orchid Board Galleries


Here is the bottom (original) portion of the plant after using this method. Currently there are 2 keikis but it looks like there may be another one starting. This does really work.

[greenthumb86]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your help. You guys have been great - I've learned a lot. Once my plants grow up a bit more, maybe I'll see if they can be easily divided.

Do you guys also have any suggestions on where/how I can obtain some (preferably not so expensive) young keikes? I really enjoy smaller plants and watching them grow. For sale\trade or anything along the line would be great.

Thanks again for all your help!!

- Rick

[blazeaglory]

Hello all.

I am having a similar situation...

My Phalp has been growing for about 7-9 years now and it recently began going downhill...but then lo and behold TWO keikis (I just found out they are called)

It looks like i might have to sacrifice mother plant because not matter what I do she is dying along with her roots...BUT the babies are growing fast and healthy...

Im thinking about just re-potting and removing dead roots and see what happens? Or.

I can cut both keikis out along with their nice roots...

Im thinking to just re-pot and see if momma come back to life and let babies grow

[nenella]

A Photo will help get you the right info on what to do.
If to split now? or, wait till mummy plant dries up?
Good Luck!