Question
Hello.

I tried to follow the instructions on caring for my orchid after it was done flowering last June. It made it through most of the fall and winter, but then the leaves died completely, shriveled and I cut them off. I repotted the plant into some new bark and continued to water it. I noticed the stem (that I trimmed back after the flowering) has a new bud on it, and continued to water and give it sun as usual. Well now I believe its a new plant growing on the stem, since there is a single root sprout coming off the ends of some new baby leaves. What should I do now?

Answer
Hello Renee,

From your description, it does sound like you have a baby (keiki) plant growing on the stem.  Wait until there are roots over 2 inch long then remove it.  To remove it, hold the keiki and the stem then twist it back and forth until it comes off.  If it doesn't come off very easily you can cut it off.  But, before doing the above, have a small pot and potting media ready.  Place a little media in the pot then lower the keiki until the bottom leaf is about pot level and fill with more media.  Place it next to the mother orchid and care for it in the same manner.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.