Question
I have a phal and it quit blloming a few months ago.  the stem never died down. then last month, it started growing roots.  We now have 5 roots about three inches long.  There are also 2 leaves, but they are not nearly as big as the orginal leaves.  When do we separate the baby plant, and how do we know when to separate it. Then will the mohter plant bloom again, and what should we do to help it out.  thanks in advance.
Jo

Answer
Hello Jo,

If the baby or keiki (Hawaiian for baby) has roots over 2 inches long, you can remove it and put it in its own little pot.  To remove it, hold both the keiki and stem then twist the keiki several times while also gently pulling it.  If it does not break off easily, use a cutter to cut it off.  

With 5 roots about 3 inches long, I would suggest getting a 3 inch pot along with a small bag of orchid media.  Place the keiki into the pot so the bottom leaf is about level with the pot rim and about centered in the pot, then add media in and around the roots.  Once full, gently press down on the media to compact it and add more as needed to fill the pot.  Water it and place it next to the mother phal.  That's about it.  

As long as the flower spike remains alive (tip remains green), leave it alone and it may produce flowers again next year.  Mama phal. may begin to make a new leaf now that baby is gone.  If all goes well, mama should produce flowers next year and may even grow a new spike with flowers.  Wouldn't that be nice!  (grin)  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.