Question
Hello, I have a Moth Orchid with three Keikis the one at the top of the spike is about 2 inches with 3 leaves but does not have any root growth. I noticed that the tip of the spike is turning brown and dying off. The other 2 keikis are closer to the bottom of the mother plant and doing well with about 1.5 inch root. But I am affraid that the one at the top will die along with the browning spike. How can I save this keiki if it has no roots yet?

Answer
DeLisa, it is likely that the tip of the spike will only die back to the topmost keiki.  However, the keikis developing below it are closer to the source of nutrients and would get first opportunity to be nourished. I would wait to remove the top keiki until the top of the spike dies all the way back to the topmost keiki. You need to provide as much time on the spike as can be spared for that top-most keiki.  To induce root formation, you could wrap some long fibered sphagnum about the flower spike just below where the leaves are now.  Keeping this area of root formation moist may induce root growth. If all else fails, you can remove the keiki keeping it with its moist moss base to stimulate root formation and grow it in the moss.  The moss should be loose and not compacted.  There also is a rooting hormone called rootone that when mixed with vaseline or petroleum jelly and applied to the area just below the leaves as a paste, may speed the developemnt of new roots.  If you use this hormone, you should apply it before you use the moss so it is direct contact with tissues near the origin of the leaves.

Keep in mind that if you remove the topmost keiki, the spike dieback is likely to continue downward to the next keiki but that shouldn't be as great a concern sincee they have roots.