Phal with Keiki re-potting and saving

[salvador1970]

I just took off the hands of one of my colleagues this plant, in miserable shape. He actually moved in to his apartment and the Phal was already there from the previous tenant and it was not watered for about two months! Imagine that!

I have attached pictures of the Orchid. I thought that the roots of the mother plant were all gone since the top ones looked dried up.

It has two keikis. One on the old spike with 5 good roots although a bit thin and with a spike. The other is small and is a basal one.

Continuation below:

[salvador1970]

.....So when I unpotted the mother plant and cut off the dried up roots I was left with some roots although in bad shape but it is possible it can still make it. I soaked for 20 minutes in Hydrogen Peroxide and I potted it and we'll see if it makes it I am hoping that it would of course

As for the keiki with the spike, I soaked it in water to get the roots a bit softer in order to pot it and placed it in a small pot. I am contemplating whether to cut of the spike on the Keiki as to give it a bit more strength. I thing I will keep an eye on it for the next couple of weeks.
The pictures are:

1- Mother plant with bare roots
2-Mother plant potted
3-Keiki potted
4-Another one of Keiki potted

Thank for having a look guys

Fadi

[Orchidzrule]

Hi Fadi,

I think you can save the mother plant. I don't know about the basal keiki--it's probably not big enough to survive on its own, but on the other hand, it might be hard on the mother plant if you leave it. So, I'm torn.

The other keiki, however, should do fine. It probably would be the right idea to remove the spike, although I know that's a tough thing to actually do--much easier said than done!

Cheers,
Rob

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, I agree. You probably will want to remove that spike and let the plant gain strength. Good luck to you!!

Cheers,
BD

[salvador1970]

Thanks Guys for your comments It is always difficult to remove a spike, but its better to have many healthier spikes over the years than having just one which is weak and could drain the power of the little Keiki So, off it will go Tonight

As for the mother plant, I am reluctant to take off the basal keiki as it it has one small root coming out, so, I will monitor how it does and if neccessary I will cut it off!

Thanks

Fadi