I could use an experts take on my keiki

[Warinsbloom]

About a year ago my phal got left in the rain, and despite my efforts airing the plant out, it got crown rot. I didn't give up on because I'm beyond dedicated to learning the fine dance of orchid growing. I bought some time release orchid food, and much to my surprise, the rotted mother plant birthed a new keiki. We've since moved, and now my orchids are all happily catching a sweet view of the harbor sitting in east facing windows. I'm not sure if its the amazing all day eastern light, or the new fertilizer I got, but my orchids are going nuts. The old rotted phal, is down to its last two dying leaves, but the keiki is taking off. There are new aerial roots coming out everywhere, and new leaves sprouting out of the middle. My question is this: How soon can a newborn keiki spike?

Maybe I'm obsessing over it too hard, but it looks like there might be a new spike coming out. It just seems to soon for this to be happening on such a new keiki..the keiki IS rather large, and the third leaf is sprouting out now

[orchidlady]

It is not unusual for keikis to bloom when they are still attached to the mother plant and can be quite a bit smaller when compared to the mother plant. The general guidelines for removal is when the keiki's roots start getting about 3 inches long. If they are actively growing that is a great time for the keiki to go out on its own. Do you have any photos?

Susan

[Brutal_Dreamer]

It is not unusual for keikis to bloom when they are still attached to the mother plant and can be quite a bit smaller when compared to the mother plant. The general guidelines for removal is when the keiki's roots start getting about 3 inches long. If they are actively growing that is a great time for the keiki to go out on its own. Do you have any photos?

Susan

I agree!

Cheers,
BD

[ssbphal]

Desiree,

The mother plant will most likely die if the keiki is allowed to bloom while still attached. this could also be fatal for the keiki. As mentioned, if the keiki's roots are longer than 3 inches you should cut it off and repot it. Repotting in a pot in a plastic bag after watering you should leave it alone for a month+. The humidity in tha bag will sustain the plant. The mother plant should also be repotted in the same manner hoping to save it also.

Dan

[Warinsbloom]

hmmm...I'm going to photograph this poor phal right now...the mother is pretty much dead...or so it would seem. I think that the keiki is the sole survivor

[Warinsbloom]

Here she is....I'm waiting for the arrival of my re-potting bark so that I can attempt repotting for my first time. Obviously the mother plant has died from the crown rot...the keiki is doing well, and all I see is roots..no spike.
When I repot, should I cut away the dead mother??? I'm so very new to all this...I want to save this phal...How do I go about re-potting!?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Check out these phal repotting instructions: RVO Orchid Care - repotting a Phal

Cheers,

BD

[walingwaling]

i wouldnt give up on the "mother", phals can be amazing, just get rid off the dead leaves and cover the roots with some moss, they will come back to live.
my thoughts...

[Warinsbloom]

I'm confused a little because I thought that those roots were supposed to be exposed. I thought those were aerial roots? correct me if I'm wrong because I'm only a novice grower. Any extra advice is warmly welcomed.

[Warinsbloom]

Ok I forgot to add this in my above post...I just feel like I'm stumbling here for the right thing to do....should I keep the rotted crown mother and the basal keiki together when I repot??? I feel so lost!