Question
I was trying to find out what was wrong with my orchid and then I found the answer.  My orchid had a baby - it is attached to the stem.  I found your answer on this site.  My problem is this:  I was wondering how to remove it.  When it started to grow, I wasn't sure what was happening, and I thought that if I pulled it off, it would die. So I left it on the stem.  It's been there for about 7 months now.  It has 3 stems and has just flowered for the 3rd time.  The roots are about a foot long.  If I pull it off at this point, will I kill it?  Please let me know, I'd really appreciate it.  I've never had a "baby" before, so I'm not 100% sure how to replant it either.  Do I place all of the roots into the mixture?

Answer
Hello Sabrina,

Although it would have been better if the roots on the baby were only 2 or so inches long rather than a foot long but you can still try to remove it and put in its own pot.  Here is what to do.  

Get a small bag of orchid potting media and a small pot of about 4 inch diameter.  Remove the baby by holding the stem with one hand and the baby with the other then rock the baby back and forth with a little twist.  It should separate after 4 to 6 twists but if it doesn't, cut it off with a shear.  Soak the long roots in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes, this may help make them a little easier to handle during pottting.  Place a little media in the pot then lower the roots until the bottom plant growth is about pot rim level then fill the pot with more media.  In order to get the roots to settle into the pot you may have to twist or turn the orchid while lowering it into the pot.  

You didn't mention what kind of orchid it is, but I assumed it was a phalaenopsis orchid plant.  

Water it then place it in a warm shady place for several weeks then move it to where you are growing the mother orchid.  

Hope this helps.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.