how to treat keiki

[oscar freak]

I'm on my 3rd keiki(yay)the first was a den that I think I separated to early and it didn't survive.2nd was an epidendrum which I waited a bit longer and potted it up and its doing ok.now one of my phals as thrown one out and would really like to do this one right.att he moment the leaves are nice and big and healthy looking but the roots are only about 2cm long.how big should I let it get before removing it and should be spritzing the roots or does it get all it needs from the parent?i don't mind watering everyday if the best would be to mount it as well.

[WhiteRabbit]

Keikis should have a minimum 3" (total) of roots before removing - this may be one 3" root, three 1" roots, etc. But leaving on the parent longer is good if both the parent and baby are doing fine. If the roots aren't shriveling, you don't need to spritz them.

[jkofferdahl]

With Phals I often leave a basal keiki on the plant and just let it settle into the same pot as the mother plant. But if you MUST separate it, Sonya's advice is spot on.

[charlesf6]

Am I keeping this one alright? I couldn't help it it fell off about a month ago.

[jkofferdahl]

It looks OK for now, though the roots look awfully soaked. Be careful not to rot them! A keiki that small that's already detached from the mother plant is going to be pretty fragile.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

It looks OK for now, though the roots look awfully soaked. Be careful not to rot them! A keiki that small that's already detached from the mother plant is going to be pretty fragile.

It has been sitting alone in it's plastic container of spag. moss for awhile now. Moss has never been spritzed or watered from initial setting but still maintains moisture.
Kept sheltered from direct sun and covered with air holes in this take out food container.

Do I need to take off the cover for a bit and let this moss dry out or take away the keiki from this container for some time?

[oscar freak]

ok thanks,i think I can leave it on a while then while I decide what to when I eventually remove it,im not a fan of sphagnum moss it always seems to stay wet for too long.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

Am I keeping this one alright? I couldn't help it it fell off about a month ago.

You should have root crown at the surface of the medium (spaghnum), so roots can grow into the medium rather than above.

[oscar freak]

glad to see one of my favourite orchids a den sonia is putting out another keiki on what looks like a dead cane(the first one I killed by separating to soon).the keiki on my phal still looks happy and healthy with 2 big leaves and roots.

[Theodore Horstmann]

Is there a time during the season which is optimal to remove the Keiki? I have a few that I'm afraid to remove, going with the better safe than sorry approach.

I'm wondering what will give them the best odds to survive once removed.