Is this a new leaf?

[ldyedgware]

Hello! I've been taking care of my boss's orchid for the past few months, and it has grown quite a few new roots. And when I saw this growing, I thought it was a spike, but now it looks like a new cluster of leaves. Any guesses?





Thanks.

[-k-]

That looks like a kieki to me, aka... a new plant growing from the base of the plant.

[PhalNewbie89]

Looks like a keiki. Nice job. Maybe your boss will reward you with the baby plant. :P

[Shannara]

Looks like your chid is having a baby! Yay for you!!

Shann~

[Dihcro]

I would never be able to tell is my orchids grew a kiekie due to that most of them as so big and bushy that I'd never be able to even see a spike unless it was 1ft tall...

[Phalcycle]

Um you do have a new leaf, but the one you are focused on is a basal keiki.
Eventually it will become its own plant, and you'd have two plants.
Your orchid is in the genera of Phaleanopsis. The main plant, seems to have a small leaf growing from the middle up on one growth, (natural growth of a monopodial orchid)

[ldyedgware]

Thank you everyone! I'm very excited now.

Now, a question, should I leave it attached to the mama, or should I remove it when it gets bigger and grows roots of its own?

Thanks!!

[Dihcro]

Let it grow until it has 3 nice roots, then you can detach it and plant it in a nice, new, tiny, tiny pot.

[Phalcycle]

I've learned that it is a choice of preference.
You can leave the keiki on for a more bushy appearence. You would get a 'fuller' plant if you leave it on.
If you take it off, you would have two seperate plants.

Because it will have to live on it's own, it would need something to allow feed. Roots would be required for a successful keiki. You should see lots of roots, that have green grwoth tips (meaning they are in active growth). When they are actice, they will rapidly settle in their new enviroment. Look for roots, about two inches long, and a few should be enough

[zaeem]

Another plant from base let it grow,then you will have 2 plants.
zaeem

[orchids4me]

Very nice! It will be some time before that is big enough to separate if that's what you choose to do. Patients is a virtue and learned as an orchid grower. ; )
Emmaye

[kmarch]

It's not just a leaf, it's a whole new growth! It's not quite the same as a keiki as you will not remove this one like you would a keiki. This new growth will be connected to the mpther plant near or at the base fo the plant. It looks healthy and good!