Phal owner in need of help! :)

[2ashdb76]

Hi all,
I am new to orchid care and am trying to work out what is happening with my phal.

Since it was given to me, it has bloomed once on two spikes. My mum cut one of the spikes after blooming and it grew another quite quickly which also bloomed successfully.

It then lost all flowers on both spikes (quite naturally it would appear) and I didn't realise you had to cut the spike after blooming so I left it.

It has also grown a couple of new leaves at the base since I've had it.

Where I am now: It appears to have grown new little leaves on both spikes, quite high up. There is two on one spike and one on the other. Two of the new growths seems to have a bud also.

I think the mother plant is okay, the leaves at the bottom seem fresh and green.

I've been trying to research what this is and have found out about keikis. I am assuming this is what I have. However I've also read lots of different things so I'm not sure what to do.

I can't see that my keiki's have roots yet, is this right? I would have thought if they are producing buds they would have roots, so this is making me think that they are not keikis.

Also, I've read the mother plant can die if the keiki's are left on there. The mother plant looks okay and I'm reluctant to attempt to cut off the keiki's and re-pot them if I can't see any roots.

The original second spike that my Mum cut is still just sat there poking out of the pot and looks completely dead. Have I left it too late to cut the other spikes? I am wondering now if my only hope is to cut the keiki's off and try and re-pot them in some bark?

I've attached some photos in case none of what I am saying makes sense! I am sorry if I am being vague but I am completely new to orchid care but now I'm hooked and want the best for my orchid!

Any advice would be gratefully received!

[Cjcorner]

Keikeis will bloom when the parent plant is ready to bloom. Sometimes only the keikei blooms. I leave them alone, if they want to bloom and everyone is healthy. If it appears to be sapping the parent plant cut the flower spikes. Otherwise, leave well enough alone and when the keikeis are through blooming and they have a few healthy roots over two or three inches long; then you can cut stem/spike and put them in their own pots. Once you cut the stem and pot them up, keep in mind they will need to be watered a little more often than the parent plant. Good luck...hope this helps.

[ajamarie]

many phals reproduce this way, your plant looks strong, just leave be and enjoy them! connies advice is dead on...

aja

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Give the phal time and the keiki (S) will grow roots. Do not remove the keiki before it has roots or you will not be able to keep it alive. Good luck to you.

Cheers,
BD

[Dorsetman]

The other thing you need to know, apart from the stuff about keikis is that when you leave the old spikes on, after the flowers have fallen, they will often produce a flowering branch from the old spike - it comes from within the top bract ( what looks like a tiny leaf wrapped tight around the stem). If you can grow the plant into a big one - I have seen one with 10 pairs of leaves all a foot long - then when you get a new flower spike from the base of the plant it will probab;y produce the branches at the same time as the other flowers, and then you can see say 40 or 50 flowers all out a once. You get a gold medal when you do that ( joke) but deserve it , anyway - its what lots of experts spend their lives trying to achieve...

[2ashdb76]

Thanks for all your comments! My plant looks healthy so will leave it be until the babies have some full on roots (they are growing fast!) Thanks again

[2ashdb76]

Hi all! Just wanted to update you with a new image 3 months on.. havent done anything to my Phal as I'm too scared too plus the roots for the babies arent that big yet so thought I'd just let it flower.. Any advice always welcome

[opaline]

Love the last photo. If that were mine I would never remove the orchid keikis and grow it as a specimen supporting it as necessary.Maybe a moss pole. Theres nothing more enjoyable with orchids for me than to see them cultured in a way nature intended. Fantastic plant and great achievement.

[panam]

That plant is amazing - and you're asking US for advice??? Enjoy! Enjoy!! Thank you for letting us see this beautiful example of phenomenal orchid growing.

[2ashdb76]

Aw thanks guys! Super proud of my baby! Unfortunately one of the keiki's came loose itself so I've had to repot that and hope it lives. But loving my orchid, it is all consuming!