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IT'S PRONOUNCED
KAY-KEE
An offshoot on an orchid is usually called a "keiki", which is Hawaiian for "child". Keikis can be potted up separately once they develop root systems of their own. Usually phalaenopsis, vandas and nobile dendrobiums form keikis.

Growing Tips

What do I do about roots coming out on top of my orchids? Do these need to be misted? Should I divide the plant to make it more manageable?

You don't have to do anything about most roots that leave the pot and go wandering. Orchid roots do this naturally. It is only a problem if all of the new roots are emerging over the edge of the pot, or are skimming along the top of the growing medium instead of growing into the pot. If the roots seem reluctant to enter the growing mix, or die when they touch it, you must repot because the mix has become too old or otherwise toxic to the plant. Likewise, if new growths and roots hang over the edge, you should repot just as the next set of roots is emerging. But if the plant is just happy, with lots of healthy roots wandering outside the pot, don't worry! You could mist them once in a while, or take the plant to the sink to soak all the roots if you think the plant isn't getting enough moisture. When you do repot, wet the wandering roots thoroughly to make them bendable, and carefully wind them into the new pot and cover them with mix just like any other roots.

Should seedlings be kept in small containers, which will probably dry out quickly, or should they be placed in larger pots, perhaps with several in the pot, to keep them from drying out so quickly?

Never overpot a seedling! Even anticipating that the plant will grow for at least a year in that pot, you should use a pot just snug enough to hold the current roots with barely any elbow room. Increase the humidity, or partially enclose the seedlings in a clear plastic bag until they are larger.

Small seedlings are often grown together in one "community" pot, or compot. Don't mix different types of orchid that may require different care.

What is the best method for sterilizing pots? Do you prefer washing and baking, or soaking in a disinfectant Clorox solution?

The Clorox method, for both plastic and clay pots. It's the least amount of work, and very effective.

You should use only cool water for the first stages of cleansing and soaking all pots. Hot water tends to "bake" dirt and proteins into both clay and plastic pots.

First, use cold water to soak the pots. Wipe them clean with a soft sponge or cloth, as pressure or abrasion of scrubbing action will embed the dirt more deeply into clay, and will scratch plastic and create areas for dirt and bacteria to hide. Rinse with cool water.

Now soak the pots in a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part plain bleach (plain Clorox or any unscented brand). Use enough solution to cover the pots completely. Let sit at least 6-7 hours. If the prospect of a tub of bleachwater sitting around the house causes you distress, then use a slightly stronger solution and reduce soaking time to only a couple of hours.

To leach the bleach from the pots, rinse under cool running water for half an hour--putting the pots under the shower is perhaps easiest--until the bleachy smell is gone. If you must rinse them by soaking them in a bucket or stopped sink, make sure to drain and replace the water 3 or 4 times.

After their final rinse with clear water, all pots may be given a final disinfectant bath with a Physan or RD-20 solution, as per package directions for use. Don't use much--a couple of capfuls to several gallons of water, just enough to make a little foam.

Using this soaking/washing method, all pots can come out looking as good as new.

One strong warning: if the pot formerly held a plant suspected of viral infection, DISCARD IT. Do not clean and reuse it for any plant. It's not worth the risk of infecting the new tenant.

Page copyright Š2000-2006 by Manhattan Orchid Society, Inc.
Page designed and coded by Elena Gaillard, Gary Vellenzer,
Scot Shugart, Melitte Buchman
MOS logo designed by Luther Travis
Original art courtesy Angela Mirro, copyright Š1998-2006 Angela Mirro
Photographs courtesy Michael Morales, Elena & Ed Gaillard