Phal with Keiki - need to cut and pot?
 

Hello!

I just joined this forum to make this post and ask for your help! I have had my phalaenopsis for just over a year. Last year, I cut one of the flower stems and it has produced a keiki. It now has two leaves with three roots and one flower spike. The stem that the keiki is on is still green. See photos below.

What should I do? Nothing or should I cut off the keiki and pot? If I should cut it, how do I do it?

Thanks for taking the time to help!
Joyce



http://www.orchidboard.com/community...dium/Phal8.jpg

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium/Keiki3.jpg

Is the flower spike coming from the keiki? If it is, I'd leave it alone till the flowers are gone, then just cut the old stem below the keiki and pot it up. It is more than big enough to be on its own but you might lose the flowers if you cut it now. No harm at all in leaving the keiki on for now.

That keiki looks plenty big enough to be potted seperately but I agree with PaphMadMan that if the spike above it is coming from the keiki then you will be best to leave it until that has finished flowering.

Once you do remove it just cut the stem just below the keiki, as close as you can without damaging it, then pot it up in a small pot where you will get plenty of air flow and the medium will dry fast (remember the roots are used to being in the air so they will have problems if they are in medium which stays wet too long.