How / When do I transplant this new bud??

[itchy]

Hi Everyone,

this is my first post so please bear with me, my orchid has sprouted a new bud on a old shoot for about a month now and I was wondering when I should transplant it? is that the term?? Also I was wondering how I go about doing this. I have attached two pictures so you guys know what I'm talking about...

Thanks for all your help!

[PhalPal]

Hi itchy and welcome to the forum! I have never been blessed with a keiki, which is what you have there. Wait until it has a few roots, enough to support itself and plant into a fine mix. A lot of forum members have done this and can give you more help when the time comes. When you think it may be ready to survive on it's own, post another picture and some with more experience will let you know if it's time.

[patlee]

Welcome aboard, Itchy. You're gonna find lots of helpful answers here. I have never had a keiki either, but I'm hoping a certain spike I have in mind is going to give me one. And I think I can tell you what to do...Just wait until the baby plant has developed roots that are one to two inches in length. (This may take a while.) Cut or gently twist it off the mother plant and,like PhalPal says, repot in fine medium.
You have just received a free Phal! Congratulations

[kmarch]

I prefer longer roots, 2-3 roots each 2-3 inches long.

[patlee]

Kmarch, You've got the experience--Itchy, Go with his advice!!!

[kmarch]

Actually I don't have a lot of experience specifically with Phal keikis as I only have a few Phals currently and the've never keiki-ed. I have lots of Dendrobium keikis though, some that I'm gettign ready to remove.

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum, itchy.

I have quite a number of keikis on my Phals.. I think kmarch is right. Let it grow a few roots. I have one with 12cm (5") leaves and a few healthy 5-6 cm roots and I have not transplanted it yet.

I see yours does not have even a single root. You may have to wait a while before it will be ready for transplant.

Good luck.

[mayres]

Welcome itchy - I have only cut off one phal keiki todate - that was three years ago and now the plant is spiking and looking wonderful! Check out this great picture link describing taking care of your new baby! Easy Orchids - Keiki Propagation
Here is mine now!

[digitalgate]

i really envy your guys having able to grow keiki with that media. If i use your
media it will be kiss of death. The humidity here is just too much.

[pikevi]

The plant looks very healthy.

I see coir and perlite in your mix. What else do you have in it? I may have to transplant 3 keikis before Christmas..

Thanks.

[tizzycat]

Hi Itchy, welcome to the forum. I have only had one keiki, and that was a "basal" which I left in place.

Just follow the good advice already given and you won't go far wrong.

[mayres]

Pikevi - you got it right. Coir, perlite, & and some horticultural charcoal. You have to go easy on the watering - it retains water for MUCH longer than large particulate medias. All my phals in this since July 06 - works great for me. Actually less watering SAVES TIME!

[evagentry]

Hello Itchy, welcome to the forum, this is a good place for advice and fellowship with like minded people

[pikevi]

Thanks mayres. I have all the ingredients you mentioned and probably will try your mix. One Phal keiki is a beautiful 'plant' now (two big leaves and roots), even though it is still attached to the mother.

I don't want to boast about my single success so I will not post a recent picture

[sandra]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

i really envy your guys having able to grow keiki with that media. If i use your
media it will be kiss of death. The humidity here is just too much.

I can't use it either digitalgate. I love the stuff, personally. My Phals hate it though. I'm also in very humid climate and wasn't able to control the 'too much' water retention it was receiving.