Den keiki

[Hummer344]

I have a Den that has thrown a keiki. Looks healthy and has roots that are about 1.5" long. I am going to wait until the roots are 2-2.5" before doing something with it. My question is: What kind of mix do I plant this in? The mother plant is in a med bark mix but I fear that wouldn't be dense enough for a new plant. A smaller, denser mix might rot the roots. Decisions Decisions. What do other people do in this situation. In all the years(close to 30) of orchid growing (& killing them) this is the first kekei I have seen grown out on one of my plants. Strange uh Oh well. thanks for the help

[patticake]

I would use the same mix as the "mom", but maybe add a little chopped sphagnum to help hold a little extra moisture. Your keiki should do o.k.!

[Tobi]

Hummer, I have removed many a keiki from my Dens and repotted them. I have always
potted them up in the same medium grade bark as Mama was in and have had no problems with them adjusting and growing. As long as you have adequate root length,
they'll do just fine.

[kmarch]

I'll round it out with a third opinion in agreement with the first two. I have some keikis I'm going to be removing but i won't do it until spring, the normal time which I'd be repotting.

[Hummer344]

Thanks for the help
David

[nenella]

Tobi, how long is adequate root length for a den? as I have a a dendrobium Stardust 'Firebird'
which got overwatered whilst I was away and It has 7 Keikis on it at the moment...I'd like to know? as well as how to 'unstick ' the keiki from mummy? Razor blade? & will it hurt mum if a chunk of her is taken off? As the cane is still green .. Therefore should continue growing & I don't want to 'hurt' it further



PS: I've just tried to attach a photo but when I go to "manage atachments" nothing happens! can anyone tell me why?

[Tobi]

Originally Posted by nenella

Tobi, how long is adequate root length for a den? as I have a a dendrobium Stardust 'Firebird'
which got overwatered whilst I was away and It has 7 Keikis on it at the moment...I'd like to know? as well as how to 'unstick ' the keiki from mummy? Razor blade? & will it hurt mum if a chunk of her is taken off? As the cane is still green .. Therefore should continue growing & I don't want to 'hurt' it further

I usually leave mine on until I have several roots that are at least 3 in. long.
Some here will say about 2-3 inches is O.K. Most of the keikis that I have removed I just turn and twist them and they come off quite easily. You can
carefully remove them with a razor blade (which I have also done) as well.
Just cut as close to the attachment as you can. Sprinkle some cinnamon
(which will prevent bacterial invasion) around the area on the mother cane
after you remove the baby. The mother plant will be just fine after removal.

[nenella]

thanks alot ! my roots are only about an inch long so I'll just wait till theyre 3 times the length