Question for Cathrin

[Ann]

Remember my little orchid? I think it's sprouting roots from partway up the last flower stem.





I've got some orchid compost, so should I cut it off and pot it up? Or does it work like strawberry runners, where you plant it and let it take root before you cut? (That could be fun given the direction of the roots!)

[Cathrin]

Hi Ann,

Looks like you are about to become an orchid mum ;D

This is called a Keikei, and it means you have been treating your plant right.
You will have to leave it on the plant for a good while longer yet before you remove it though. The roots need to be about as long as your thumb (11/2 - 2inches) long before you cut the stem off, ideally you should have 2 or 3 leaves on the baby plant too.

Give it as long as you can, it will be quite happy growing there for several months if needed
When you do decide to remove it, pre-soak the orchid bark you are going to use in water for 24 hours, cut the old stem either side of the new growth and lightly dust the cut ends with Cinnamon powder (the spice is an anti-fungal) blow any excess off.
Plant in one of the small clear plastic pots for orchids, that way you can see when the compost drys out, then treat it the same as mum.

You should then have 2 orchids to enjoy, in all probability it will take it a couple of years to flower for the first time, but this is normal

Well done Ann, some growers never get them to reproduce a keikei and it will be a true clone of the original.

[Ann]

Thanks Cathrin. I knew you'd know what to do!

(Orchids must be a lot tougher than I thought as I'm not known for my green fingered touch!)

[Cathrin]

Orchids love not being fussed over too much.

But quite pleased with myself because I now have a moth orchid with a keikei
my one is growing under a main leaf and that is how I missed it. LOL

[Ann]

Is a keikei the real name for the baby?

The roots of mine are about ¾" and ½" respectively and it has 2 leaves. The main plant is now also putting out some new roots.

[Cathrin]

Yes it is.

It's Hawian and means 'kids' or 'babies' and is a term that has been used by the American orchid growers for many years and has been taken up by the rest of the world.
One book I have was first published back in the early 70's and it was used in there.

Keep it on the plant still as it is doing no harm there it needs to have more roots yet and another leaf.
You could always get some orchid plant food (not a dripper one as it is too concentrated and will burn the roots) dilute it to half of what is recomended and use every third watering (if you remember )
If you want to encourage more roots on the baby plant lightly spray the roots only every few days.

Don't get water into the crown of the main/mother plant or the new one as this can cause rot if it sits in there, to help stop that problem use some kitchen towle to absorbe the excess spray.

Or ignor all I have said and just let it grow some more before you take it off ;D

[Ann]

Well it seems to be doing all right as it is, so I think I'll leave well alone. Spraying it sounds fraught with dangers! I'll look out for some orchid food next time I'm in a garden centre though. It should be all right for the time being as I just repotted it a few weeks ago, so most of the compost stuff is new.

[Cathrin]

Aha ... That is why we are getting new roots then
Spring and re-poting = new roots ... always works a treat

Just what you feel is comfortable Ann, as I said before you are doing great with it for it to re-flower and grow a new plant.

I'm impressed even if your not

[Ann]

How important is the third leaf? There's no sign of one, but 2 of the roots are now quite long, and a third and fourth have appeared. The longer ones are starting to look like they want a bit more than thin air though.

[Cathrin]

Hi Ann

The root tips are still green so that means that they are still growing They look very healthy to me (brown root tips are roots that are damaged and it will not grow any longer and may die back)

If you look at the first photo and compare it with these 2 you will realise how much bigger and more developed the roots and leaves are.
The silvery colour is perferctly normal, don't forget these orchids don't live in soil at all and just like to hang out on tree branches (sorry bad pun)

As it's a cut down stem I don't see why you can't remove the baby plant and pot it up now. If you have orchid compost use in the normal way but soak it first for a couple of hours, then you won't have to water again for a few days.
Look after it exactly the way you do the adult, including for now keeping it on the same window sill if you can.

Don't be tempted to over water or you will rot the roots as it will not be used to large amounts of water yet. I'm sure you will be fine.

Cathrin

[Ann]

Thanks Cathrin, that's reassuring. The longest roots are about an inch and a half long at the moment, so now I know that all's well, I'll probably leave it a little bit longer. Presumably when I do come to repot it, I cover the longer roots with the bark?

[Cathrin]

Yes, but dont worry if the smaller roots are not covered, it is very common for these plants to have half their roots out side the pot

The only important thing is for the plant not to wobble, as an unstable plant cannot develope a good strong root system, so support it with a chop stick or similar if it is a bit loose.

If you have one, a small clear plastic orchid pot would be better than a solid colour one as you can then see how dry the compost is. (also the roots can do photosynthasis as well as the leaves)

Cathrin

[Ann]

I can see I'll have to go shopping! I don't have any clear pots. I did pick up some orchid food the other day though, so I'm half prepared.

[Ann]

I was out with a friend earlier this afternoon and we visited a lovely little garden centre close to her house. I was able to pick up orchid pots, so I can now put the bigger one into a proper transparent pot. I'm going to use a cut off transparent plastic cup with some holes in the bottom for the baby as even the smallest pots at the garden centre looked quite big for such a small plant. The bark stuff is now soaking ready to perform the operation of separating mother and child.

[Ann]

It's done! I cut the stem close to the new plant on one side, but as the leaf growing on the stem on the other side was still looking healthy, I left it on as it seemed a shame not to.

Because the roots had got so long and the pot is small, it seems quite stable without any help at the moment. Although it doesn't show in the pictures, you can just see one of the long roots through the side of the pot, so it should get some light.

Here's Mum and new born baby.



And baby in its own pot for the very first time.



Keep your fingers crossed both continue to do well.