AboutWayne King Expertise Any question about orchid culture. I have thirty+ yrs of growing experience,president 2x of our local Orchid Growers Guild,held a position in most all other offices associated with the Guild at one time or another. Head of Orchid judging team for local club meetings and some shows. Member of two Orchid Socities and local Rep.for Mid America Orchid Congress for several yrs.I have in my collection about 800 Orchid plants of all types.
Experience
Past/Present clients Previously an expert on expertcentral.com.
Question i have many vandas one of which is about 8 years old. I has 3 blooms stems ready to open. It appears the are two new plants growing off the main stem in the center where leaves as attached just above the roots. The roots a over 4 feet long. Is it possible these are new plants?
If so how do i remove and pot new ones.
Thank you for you time and assistance
Answer Dee, it is not unusual for vandas to produce keikis (ie new plants) that can be removed and potted up separately. This is best done when there is new root growth on these new plants. While these are part of the mother plant and can be left on indefinitely, with healthy roots of their own, they can also, when separated from the mother plant and potted up separately, continue to grow and produce new growth. I try to "harvest" one keiki each year from my large 20 plus year plant and have had good success in growing and flowering these. This provides insurance against the potential loss of the mother plant at some future time. I try to use large plastic pots with lots of treee fern in the pot to help anchor the new plant, provide an airy environment in the root zone, and reduce the potential for root damage during the potting process. I have not tried to tie the keiki bare root into a basket which also would probably work if the environment is humid enough.
