Question
My orchid is having babies!   On one stalk of the plant, there have appeared two baby plants, consisting of little leaves and some root.   They look healthy, but should I be removing them from the mother plant and potting them, or should I leave them to grow bigger, and develop more roots?   I look forward to hearing from you.

Answer
Hi Louisa,

You are very lucky to have a Phalaenopsis that is producing plantlets on the flower spike. Although it is not rare, it is unusual and a way to get free plants!

I suggest that you wait until the plantlets have at least two roots that are an inch or longer before cutting the flower spike just above and below the plantlets. Then pot them in damp Orchid potting mix or sphagnum moss. Use very small pots of about 3-4 inches in diameter. Let the leaves rest on the rim of the pot and cover the roots gently with the potting mix that you use. After that provide the same care that you do with your mature Orchid.

After removing the plantlets, cut the flower spike all the way back.

I have written an article on Phalaenopsis care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com