December 11, 2012 at 4:26 pm Log in to Reply. Orchids are a spectacular variety of long-lasting fragrant flowering plants with glowing colors and unique forms. Be gentle with your new keiki. I’m … Protect the keiki from direct sunlight and water and fertilize regularly. I kept thinking that a new orchid flower spike was growing, when in fact most of the time they were just roots! Image of life, beginning, indoor - 89725734 Increased light increases the capacity for the plant to photosynthesize and generate energy which can be used to grow the new flower spike. If the baby has not formed any roots of its own at that point you can try cutting it off with a small section of the stem still attached and planting that in some moist sphagnum moss. I did not cut the stem because it appeared still vibrant. That is so true! Tags: Anatomy, Caring for Orchids, Fertilzer, Growing Orchids for Beginners, Orchid Care, Orchid Care and Maintenance Tips, Phalaenopsis Orchid, Potting, Temperature, Water. Use an orchid-specific fertilizer and do not over-fertilize your orchids. Keikis are not rare, but they are unusual and their formation is sporadic. An orchid sprout is a small plantlet growing on the orchid's flower spike. The very top of the stem started turning brown, so I snipped it to reduce the death. Carefully remove the small plant from the flower spike by cutting the stem 1 to 2 inches either side of the plant, this will ensure that you don’t damage the roots of the keiki. Your orchid is about to become a new mom! New plant shoots on old flower stems. The effort spent growing a spike is taxing on your plant…if you leave a spike intact, your orchid will have surplus energy to put into flowers rather than investing energy in a whole new spike; and if your plant has surplus energy for a new spike…guess what? Wait until you can see that the leaves and roots of the new plant are growing and cut the link to the parent. You should wait to stake a new growth until you see that it is in fact a flower spike and is as tall as the stake itself. I honestly had no idea how to take care of an orchid nor did I know they could be so finicky. If your moth orchid has a transparent pot, look at the roots. After it gets well established, you can go to every other year if it … They have very thick, conspicuous, bract-covered stems to store water and nutrients. Replant the orchid in a new pot with fresh growing medium to give it a nutrient boost. 1. You can revive an orchid plant by repotting it in some fresh growing medium. Photo about Orchid plant Sprouting and roots. Is my Orchid sprouting a new plant? If your Phalaenopsis orchid starts sprouting leaves instead of a flower at the end of its spike, congratulations! How long should this take? They are sometimes referred to as a “keiki,” a Hawaiian term for baby or little one. Using a new, unused razor blade will prevent the spread of disease between plants. Diane, Wow! Then, water the plant with plan water once per month to rinse out any accumulated fertilizer. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. The root is 1 1/2 in. Using a potting medium designed especially for young orchids, pot the keiki in a small, clear orchid pot. If you are having trouble getting your phalaenopsis orchid to rebloom, definitely consider lighting as a cause of the issue. Then, with a new razor blade cut the keiki from the mother plant. Typically, expect to fertilize your orchid once per week with a weak (diluted to ¼ strength) 20-10-20 fertilizer mixture. Phalenopsises often re-flower, so do not cut the green stalks off after one "round" but leave them until dry. Place the orchid plant in the new pot and tuck in the damp potting media loosely around it, leaving plenty of air around the roots. Question. Once removed, you have two options. Distinguishing Between an Orchid Flower Spike and a Root. Many times an orchid will “save itself” by sprouting a keiki because it is dying. In nature the second plant would start rooting in the same medium that the parent is rooting in. Phalaenopsis grown this way should reach flowering size 18 months to 2 years after they first appeared. Here’s how to propagate an orchid with air roots. Orchid Care Now That I Have This Plant, What Do I Do With It? If you are really lucky it may even grow a "baby plant" ("keiki") on the flower stalk. This may be a good time to check the size of the pot. Your orchid may never form a keiki or you may be blessed with several “grandchildren” during your orchid’s lifespan. Initially small, it will grow several leaves and then roots, at which time it can be removed to propagate a new plant. Such leafy growths are called “keikis,” the Hawaiian word for “baby,” and are actually baby orchids that can be cut from the stalk and planted to create new plants. Tip. 1/3. If the plant seems a little too snug, move the orchid into a larger container because overcrowded roots may escape and look for space to grow above the surface of the soil. This entry is filed under Orchid Care. If you are anxious to get going with orchids, check our quickstart guide to orchid culture, ORCHIDS 101. See answers to the most popular orchid questions further down on this page. (Some day, this isn't, it's clearly flower buds.) 5 … Plant the seedlings at the same depth they grew in their original container. This section is for the Orchid Beginner. Once you separate it, plant it in its small container with small seedling bark or sphagnum moss. (You can check out my post on orchid anatomy.). Brads Greenhouse & Gardening 1,360,871 views 20:56 May 1, 2016 - My orchid is sprouting a new leaf... and all because I placed it outside in the shade and transplanted it from a pot with bark to a cocohusk hanging basket with moss (water it … Step-By-Step to Propagating an Orchid with Air Roots. Check out some of our other posts on keikis for more information. Your orchids must be loving the warm and humid climate in Bocas del Toro! Use this solution once every two weeks, and only when the plant is growing new … Ludisia discolor (Jewel orchid) This unusual-looking orchid produces spikes of white flowers in spring or summer that reach 15cm … Sarah. The rate of development depends on two main factors. thanks. Question: Two of my orchids have grown a new plant off the old flower stem. : ). First, cut back any dead stalks, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Orchid midwifery can be difficult! You need some caution when moving an orchid from low light conditions to higher light conditions. Orchid spikes develop quite slowly, typically over the space of 2-3 months. Use a sterile knife to make the cut, including a 1- to 2-inch piece of stem with the plantlet. An orchid that is kept in low light lighting conditions is very unlikely to produce new blooms. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++. The keiki has another new leaf and a flower spike emerging! Keikis grow quickly and will soon sprout additional leaves and aerial roots. How should I remove it to repot it? Thanks. As a precaution, you may want to swab the cut ends of both the keiki and mother plant with a fungicide. What shall I do? Question. Now, let’s move on to some photos of orchid spikes. If you are cultivating an orchid very well, each new growth that develops should be larger than the previous one. Because the generation of keikis is a form of asexual reproduction, you can expect the “baby” to look like its mom. Then follow our orchid repotting instructions, and plant the keiki in a pot of fresh orchid medium. Want to learn more? by Claudine Wagemans (Antwerp, Belgium) My Phalaenopsis grew a very thick flower stem. Overwatering is the most common reason that orchids die. Determining whether a new growth is a root or a flower spike is largely a matter of visual observation and time. How Long Does It Take For An Orchid Spike To Grow? You can pot the keiki in its own 4-inch container or repot the mother plant along with the keiki in the same pot (which is the best option). It is difficult to say what exactly is going on with your orchid, but it sounds as though your plants are growing keikis. I would leave the baby on the mother plant as long as possible, until the stalk is truly dead. An orchid specific balanced fertilizer would be great, too and you wouldn’t have to dilute it because it is already formulated for orchids. (Some orchid pros think that a perlite/peat mix is less likely to produce aerial roots than bark.) How to Make an Orchid Grow Another Stem. Today’s Orchid Care and Maintenance Question is from Helena in Bocas del Toro, Panama! To get a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in an area with a lower room temp — about 55–65°F at night should do it. +++++ Question: Two of my orchids have grown a new plant off the old flower stem. Assemble everything you need. well I am definitly kicking him out! Continue to water the orchid seedlings every seven to 10 days; reduce the frequency of irrigation to avoid overwatering if necessary. Reply. Be sure to use a potting mix suitable for orchids. Leave old spikes on the plant. This comprises of a pot large enough for 12 months of growth, a medium grade potting mix, a label with the variety and of course the keiki – see photo. All plants need food, but these orchids do best with a very small amount. You’ll get two spikes – the old one…and a new one. The root is 1 1/2 in. My plant has put out 3 on the old flowering stems, but they do not yet have a root system. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. My dad bought me a "Just Add Ice" orchid over a year and a half ago. long. I read with interest your post about the orchid keikis on the phaleanopis orchid. Allow water to drain out the bottom of the pot – don’t allow the plant to stand in water. Here’s the keiki on June 30th – it has produced a new leave and roots. Use 2 parts orchid bark mixed with 1 part peat moss. Easy Orchid Care: Repotting a Phalaenopsis with Rotten Roots / Steps to save an Orchid with no roots - Duration: 20:56. How should I remove it to repot it? I’ve propagated a few keikis from my phalaenopsis orchids over the years—each one has gone on to flourish into a full-size plant using the orchid propagation method below. During its first year, a keiki can benefit from being potted with its mother as the mature plant … Very simple: That's a new flower stalk growing out of an old one. You should leave the baby attached to the spike for now and see if it starts to grow roots. 3. It will need more TLC than an established orchid with more constant watering, and will take roughly two years to mature. Don’t miss Ryan’s Free Orchid Care Email Tips. long. Hi Ariel, congrats on your baby orchid! While your main plant may die, this new keiki will grow into a new beautiful orchid plant and eventually flower. Use 10-10-10 fertilizer and dilute it to one-quarter strength. Don’t water if they are green – wait until they look silvery. Is my Orchid sprouting a new plant? When the plant resumes growth during the wet season, it utilizes the stored nutrients to develop its new growth with extreme rapidity. Such leafy growths are called “keikis,” the Hawaiian word for “baby,” and are actually baby orchids that can be cut from the stalk and planted to create new plants. The flowers bloomed and dropped off in the usual manner. It was beautiful. For the first couple of years, repot your new plant every spring. Step 6 Watch for a new flower spike. Leave the new growth on the mother plant until it has several roots. Then, water the orchid lightly, and lift it out of its current pot. Hi Helena! I have an orchid with two stems and a new baby orchid plant is growing from one of the stems. Posted by 6 hours ago. Close. Now new roots and leaves have begun to grow. Placing your orchid in a window away from the heater might work, too. Carefully pot the keiki —keeping the roots in tact below the orchid potting mix. In Phalaenopsis orchids, keikis generally form at a node near the end of an orchid spike; but they sometimes emerge from between or under the leaves at the base of the plant. The no-risk solution is to get another pot with the same medium (looks like bark chips from the photo) and plant your latest addition into it. I kept woundering why would’nt my plant bloom and the buds would just fall off. Temperature and light. The new plant does not have aerial roots. Today’s Orchid Care and Maintenance Question is from Helena in Bocas del Toro, Panama! Answer: Hi Helena! Dee says: August 15, 2015 at 3:14 am I just found this information. When at least 2 to 3 roots reach a length of 3 to 4 inches, the keiki can be cut from the parent stalk and planted in its own pot. We’ve had best success getting new flower spikes in winter, when our homes and their windows aren’t as warm. Once the roots grow a couple of inches long, gently remove the plantlet with a sterile knife and pot in a container to which you add a label with the plant's name. Your orchid is about to become a new mom! When I first starting growing moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis, I got excited over every little new growth that would show up at the base of the plant. However, once the plant fills and overflows the container (which may take three to four years), they can be repotted or divided in spring. It is a phalaenopsis orchid and when I got it, it looked very healthy and had a lot of flowers. If your Phalaenopsis orchid starts sprouting leaves instead of a flower at the end of its spike, congratulations! (Proceed only if the roots of the keiki are longer than at least 2 inches.). I’m so glad you’ve written all the way from Panama! This is normally due to the orchid being potted in a pot with no drainage, thus being overwatered , which suffocates the roots. Roots growing from an Oncidium Bollopetalum putting out loads of new roots Existing roots + new root on a Phal Phal root on left, growing from between leaves—spikes often also grow from there Phal root. Give your pansy orchid this watering treatment once a week to ensure the right amount of moisture. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(52259, '9e89d841-72b6-4845-ae70-4763845b78c6', {}); What to Do If Your Orchid Sprouts Leaves at the End of Its Spike. This happens when the orchid’s environment becomes intolerable due to situations like crown or root rot . I keep my orchid in the bathroom, and my roomate is a smoker and he showers in HOT water!