Phalaenopsis New Leaf Shoot
 

I have had a phalaenopsis for about 3 years and it has bloomed twice. Now it has sent up a new leaf shoot about 6 in. long and the leaf is beginning to open. should this be allowed to continue or should we cut it off or reroot it? Does this growth inhibit producing new blooms?

Keitha Kenny

The palnt needs new, vigorous growth to live and produce future flower spikes. The LAST thing you want to do is cut that leaf off! Rather, encourage this growth, and if the plant doesn't continue to grow and thrive, cut off flower stems.

Are you saying it's producing a Keiki? (Baby plant)
Is it a miniature plant on a stem?
:)

phalaenopsis New Spike 6 in. Long with Leaf
 

In my preceding post I may not have been clear enough in my description. This is not a new leaf shoot in the usual sense of developping at the base of the plant. The new leaf is unfolding at the end of a vertical spike about 6 in. long like that on which new blooms develop. then my question is, " should i allow this to continue or cut it off?

is the spike with the leaf coming out of the central crown of the plant? or from off to the side of the plant? whichever it is, it is forming a keiki which is the plants method of reproduction....you dont want to disturb this.....if it is coming out of the central crown, straight up, it is what is called a terminal spike.....please let us know or include a picture....

I would check the roots/crown that the plant is not suffering from overwatering. If everything is fine, then congratulations it sounds like you have a baby plant keiki growing

OK, now I understand. What is growing is called a keiki. Keikis sometimes develop on spikes, so your plant is acting naturally. Keiki growth usually indicates that the plant is doing quite well rather than anything negative. Leave it on the stem until the plantlet grows at least 4 inches of its own root, and then you can separate it from the stem and pot it up.

Sorry about the misunderstanding!

Phaelopsis Growing Keiki on New Stem
 

At what point should I separate it from the base plant?

As I understand it, you should wait until it has established it's own root system.

As I said, the plantlet needs a root system of at least 4 inches. That could be 4 one-inch roots, two two-inch roots, etc. However, I personally would NOT pot the plant separately if there is just one 4-inch root, preferring to allow it to grow at least one more root. For keiki survival, roots are a key element. The roots will support the leaf growth, and leaf and root health leads to flowering.

It's possible, even likely, that the keiki will bloom before it's ready to be separated from the mother plant.