Phalaenopsis Keiki doublet - Orchid Board

pbphut · #1 07-08-2009, 07:43 PM

One of my Phalaenopsis plants has decided to reproduce, but I have a dilemma. One of the flower stalk branches developed a Keiki on either side of the branch and each one threw a root, but now it looks like a third root is growing between the two plantlets. My question is whether it's better to split the Keikis into individual plants or is it alright to attempt to grow both plants as one. I realize that most monopoidal orchids are grown as singles, but do doubles do as well? Any potential problems as the plants mature?

nenella · #2 07-08-2009, 07:50 PM

That's different! I have never tried doing this ... hopefully someone with this experience will be able to tell you..

WhiteRabbit · #3 07-08-2009, 07:55 PM

wow - thats awesome!
I have no experience with this - but I don't know why it wouldn't be alright to let them be twins

axle · #4 07-08-2009, 09:18 PM

an issue for separated plants living in the same pot is that they're competing for resources. However if your plants remain attached together perhaps they will share resources and not compete.

mayres · #5 07-09-2009, 07:55 PM

If they were mine I'd be inclined to separate and grow as two separate plants - grow them up to respectable blooming size and then you can gift two nice plants to friends!

nenella · #6 07-09-2009, 08:02 PM

Yes, I agree with Mayres BUT at the s

pbphut · #7 07-09-2009, 08:23 PM

Well, I think I'll see how any additional roots come out. Perhaps it will become obvious where to divide them. As they are now, it's anybody's guess. Other than the novelty of having a double orchid, splitting them would be much more straightforward.

Nenella, your last post didn't seem complete, and I'm interested in what you meant to say.

natasha · #8 07-10-2009, 05:09 AM

i'm not sure whether my eyes are looking correctly or not, its almost looking at mirror. i think you shouldn't separate the keikis first when its time to detach, just plant them together. then when they grow big, you can just detach.

consider this scenario (true story)
i broke my den keiki into two last few weeks, one end get all the leaves, the other get all the roots. i was so frustrated. luckily i just keep it even it seems cannot be saved. i saw new keiki shoot growing at the base. other half was thrown away.

btw, i also have a phal that grow another plant at the base, not keiki. both are doing well.

camille1585 · #9 07-10-2009, 05:20 AM

I don't think there would be a problem with leaving them together, unless you really don't want 2 in the same pot. If you were to separate them, I thinkt he only way to do it would be to carefully use a razor blade to cut one off. But if that were mine, they would stay together!

natasha · #10 07-10-2009, 05:45 AM

i think i should say this 'accident do happen'! too bad i broke my keiki

its already 8-9", large one!