A keiki is growing. Can’t tell if good or bad?

[Tdesimone911]

I’ve had my phal for a few months now and all the blooms fell off and so I cut the flower spikes down and now it’s growing a keiki I hope this is a good thing I will post pictures

[Bulbopedilum]

I dont see any keiki...

[fishmom]

Not a keiki, if you are talking about the nice, new leaf in the center of the plant. Have you considered repotting the plant? This would be a good time if you haven't done it already.

[Tdesimone911]

Oh it’s just a new leaf growing in? Ok... guess I was wrong. Sorry! I have considered repotting it but last time I reported my first orchid my roots pretty much broke apart and I reported it with orchid mix and it didn’t do so well. I should probably do it to this one if you recommend it thank you! Still learning about these flowers...

[Paphluvr]

Fishmom is correct, this would be a good time to repot. Your pictures show a pot with not much potting mix visible and several dead roots showing. You mention that when you have repotted in the past that the plant did not respond well. How do you repot and what mix do you use? Did you pre-wet it first?

[fishmom]

There is lots of information in the "Potting and Repotting" sub-forum. Do a search for phalaenopsis there. Do you have specific questions? Potting is a huge topic!

[Tdesimone911]

I bought a potting orchid mix on a website that missorchidgirl on YouTube recommended. I Do not pre wet it I just remove everything as much as I can without damaging the roots.

[fishmom]

Well, the fact is that orchids will grow on most anything as long as you adjust the watering and other cultural details correctly. Many people use a chunky bark mix for phals, maybe with some perlite or charcoal mixed in. The idea is that you want a moist, airy environment around the roots. Phals don't really want to dry out all the way, and the chunks will create air spaces between them to allow for air circulation. When you repot, you will probbably need to water more often than you have been, as new medium does not hold much water. So keep track of the moisture in the pot, using a skewer or the weight of the pot.


It is also important to make the plant steady in the pot, not wobbling, so use a stake or other support until the plant settles in.

[Tdesimone911]

Thank you so much for that info. If you don’t mind me asking what’s the difference between a keiki and a new leaf growing in? I always thought new leaves grew in from the bottom..

[fishmom]

It depends on the species of orchid. Phalaenopsis and other vandaceous orchids are monopodial--they have one central stem and growth occurs from the top of that stem for the most part, although they can also branch from down lower. For phals, a keiki occurs when a leaf and roots sprout from along a spent bloom spike.