Alright, so in my last post someone told me my keiki should have at least 3 inches (minimum) total root length before repotting. I measured these roots several times just to be sure. They are exactly 3 inches long--not a bit more! There is one on the other side of the main root you see in this picture about the same length, and a nub which is about a quarter of an inch long or so. So only two very developed roots. The small little nub has been growing quite quickly! However, I am hesitant and eager to pot it at the same time. The larger roots are a bit wrinkly and not as full as they were when I first bought the Phal. I'm worried I am going to lose the keiki if I don't repot it, or I will lose these roots because they are drying out. I tried
misting them for a while. I am not sure if that was the correct thing to do or not, but I stopped because I was worried the water droplets might intensify the light and cause sunburn on the roots. The other side of the left leaf is a little wavy, but still glossy and a nice grass green color. The keiki is at the very top of the largest flower spike, of which this Phal has four! This spike is about a foot tall whereas the others are much smaller. The plant's roots are recovering from a bit of root rot (which it had when I bought it), so I'm thinking it would be better for the mother plant if I take the keiki off so it can concentrate on the new root growth just below the crown. I have it potted in the AOS potting mix which I really like (I tried that miracle grow stuff for a while, but know I know that stuff holds far too much moisture!!). I plan on potting the keiki in a very small clay pot with presoaked sphagnum moss. Obviously my question is, will the keiki survive if I pot with just 3 inches of root growth? Or should I wait?
One other question-- those teeny branches growing out from the main spike--what are they? Will they develop into some thing else? Is it safe to remove them from the flower spike with the keiki? My run of the mill mini phal has nodes but doesn't have any of these branches/cluster-like things growing from the spike.
As you can tell, I'm still quite a beginner with orchids so I thank you for any and all help!
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