QuestionQUESTION: There is a clone on the main stem of this phaleonopsis. It looks as if the clone is sending out a bud shoot. How can I take it off? Where should I cut? What medium should I plant it in? Or should I just leave it alone.
ANSWER: Hello Carol,
Unless it has several roots of its own over 2 inches long, leave it alone until it does. When the roots are about 2 inches long, get a small pot (about 3 inch diameter) plus a small bag of medium grade orchid media to prepare for potting it. To remove it, hold the stem in one hand and the clone (keiki) in the other and twist it back and forth while gently pulling them apart. It should break off after about 4 to 6 twists but if it doesn't, cut it off. Put a little media in the pot then lower the roots down into it until the bottom leaf is about pot rim level, fill in around it with more media. That's about it. Place it next to the mother phalaenopsis and care for them both as you have been doing.
As for the bud shoot, enjoy the flowers when it blooms. I currently have a similar situation as yours, a keiki in bloom along with the mother because the keiki has only one root just barely an inch long.
Hope this helped.
Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.
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QUESTION: Thanks so much for the information Jim. One more question. Can you give me a brand name for "medium grade orchid media"? Not sure where I can find it in this area. Thanks again.
Carol
AnswerHi Carol,
Not sure what is available where you live (you didn't tell me). Here in San Jose, there are several brands of orchid bark, Wonder Bark and Sequoia brands. Both are good but I prefer the Sequoia brand. The primary thing to look for would be whether it has been sterilized to kill off any pests, bacteria and fungus that might have been on it. Again, here most garden centers carry orchid bark, especially those that sell orchids.
Hope you find some. If not, there are some mail-order places I can point you to. Let me know.
Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.
