Removing a Keikei - is it ready?

[Windhavyn]

Hi there!

I bought a new orchid from an online seller (SAOrchids) and it arrived with a keikei attached! Very cool, since it's my first one.



My only question is, when is it big enough to remove from the parent plant? The orchid is a Dendrobium kingianum - my first species orchid! The canes easily divided when I unpacked it, so I put one half each into a glass jar - I'm trying out my Dendrobiums in FWC as my Phal is loving it so far.



So, any tips to how long the roots/leaves or overall growth should be would be grand!
(Also, if anyone has successfully grown a kingianum in full water culture, any advice would be most appreciated!)

~Havyn

[Orchid Whisperer]

When you say FWC, if you mean leaving the roots fully immersed in water all the time, I think your Dendrobiums are unlikely to survive this type of culture.

[Windhavyn]

Should I rather mount them, then? They came bare root, so it would be easy to transport them to mount/rock.

[Subrosa]

I'm curious as well. My kingianum 'Pink Thetis' is growing a couple keikis right now.

[Fairorchids]

You can remove as soon as:
a. The new growth is not in active growth.
b. It is showing the start of a root or two.

I put them in 2" plastic pots with spaghnum, and leave then there for 1-2 years. Then you can pot up into clay pots with your choice of potting mix:
1. I use spaghnum/bark mix in clay pot.
2. I know others who use pure bark mix.
3. I know some who use small granite nuggets only.
You should select whatever suits your watering schedule.

You can't grow kingianums in 'water culture', as they need very little water from October through Feb or Mar. In fall/winter season, I only splash a little water on the plants every two weeks or so.

Just noticed that you are in the southern hemisphere, so your seasons are reversed. You should water & fertilize well from Aug through Mar. Keep watering through mid April, then reduce 75-85% till buds appear. At that point you can go to abt 50% of growing season watering.

[estación seca]

The keiki is big enough to remove now. Since you will have three pieces, you could use three different methods and see which works best for you.

[Windhavyn]

Thank you so much everyone for your detailed advice! Estacion, that sounds like a brilliant idea! I think I'll try that.

[Marlena]

I did my kiekies when they were about that size, put them in a small pot with moss and all three are going great guns. One even grew a second sprout. They are in a semi-open terrarium about 1 foot from a southish window.