new growth with roots

[majen35]

I recieved an orchid as a gift about 6 months ago. It seems to be doing well, but there is a new growth near the top of the plant that seems to be growing roots at the base of the growth. Should I cut this off and start a new plant? I don't know enough about orchids to know what to do. If anyone can give me some suggestions, I'm all ears!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Is this a Phalaenopsis and the growth is on an old flower spike, or is this a Dendrobium and the growth is on the side/top of a cane? Or is this some other orchid, in which case the answer might be very different. For Phals and Dens, in the above mentioned situations, wait for the roots to be a couple of inches long or so, then manipulate the Keiki (baby plant) until it breaks loose. This can usually be done without breaking any of the babies roots. Or you can use a sterilized tool, but you will probably do less damage to both halves if you can get them to separate without cutting. Of course, for a Phal flower spike, you could cut the spike and leave some of it with the keiki. You can wait longer, but be sure you take the keiki off before the roots get so long that they are too long for a small pot. Cynthia

[majen35]

Cynthia - The growth is on an old spike, growing from the side near the top of the spike. I don't know what kind of orchid it is, but the flowers were a deep red/maroon. The "roots" are about one inch long, white with bright green tips. I'll try your suggestions. Thanks!

[mayres]

Sounds like a phalaenopsis type - as soon as you have 3-4 roots near a couple inches long go ahead and remove it (I would cut it from the spike) and pot up. You will end up with an exact duplicate of the mother that can potentially bloom as a youngster in 18-24 months. If you have a coarse media for the mother plant I would consider something more water retentive for the young plant until it becomes firmly established.