Hey Valerie,

Welcome to the forum :) First, it might be a good idea to post a picture of your plant if you can. This always helps when people want to give advice.

It sounds like you dont have a flower coming from that stem, but a baby plant, also known as a keiki. If there are buds on that branch also, then you could just place the broken branch in water, and wait for the branch to bloom. Ive done that before.

It sounds like the baby plant is ready to be potted, but a picture would be better.

Hope this helps! I'm sure others will also chime in. Good Luck!

Thank you for your response!
After I posted this question, I did a search on this forum. I found out that what I've called branch#1 in my previous post, well yes, IS a keiki! So, the fact that I broke off the spike in half is not THAT upsetting to me because now I know that this keiki can be potted as a separate plant. I don't have a picture right now, I'll make it, but it'll take some time to post it. For now, I can describe you that keiki with more detail.
Considering the info I already found on this forum, I believe that my keiki is ready to be potted. It has 5 roots, that are at least 4 in long, and 2 more roots are about an inch long; so, 7 roots total.
I already went to the store and bought a new ceramic pot with holes in its sides (these are the ones that I use for the other orchids I have as well), and 20-14-13 orchid fertilizer (just in case you'll say I need to use one at the time of potting the keiki). I also bought some moss because I have an idea of gently wrapping the roots with most and than planting the keiki in the charcoal mix. What would you say about that one? Is it overkill?
So, Iâm ready to plant that keiki! However, I donât know what to do with the remnants of a mother spike that are still attached to my keiki. Do I have to cut it? Or do I have to try to brake off the keiki off it? Again, do I have to use a fertilizer after potting the keiki? How deep to plant it? It is written on the orchid potting mix package that the base of the leaves has to be about ½ in. deeper of a potâs edge. But how to arrange roots in a pot? They are growing from all sides and in all directions. Do I have to leave some poking out from the mix, or force them inside?
Whew, so many questionsâ¦I just want to do it right.
ALSO, I bought a poor orchid that was on clearance. I just couldn't let it die. Some of its roots were as dry as chopsticks. But I spotted few thick ones that weren't brown or black, but has some greenish hue to them. And all the leaves were still meaty, green and healthy. So I bought more than 1 feet high Vanda Kultana (Pink) in a teak basket for only $15 (instead of $57)! Itâs in my sink now, soaking and getting better right before my eyes. What would be your advice for that one? How long do I need to soak it before potting? How to pot it, actually? Ok, Iâll try to mkee a picture, maybe itâll help.

Thanks for help, again!
Waiting for your advice, orchid gurus!
Valerie.

A Vanda is a very high light orchid and will need daily watering. It will be a real challenge for you to grow indoors. A south window is the place for that.

Your idea using sphagham moss to pot the keiki sounds fine. Don't worry about the roots. Soak the roots to make them easier to bend and try to get them on the moss, if possible. You can use a hair-pin to anchor the keiki in the pot. It will send its roots down into the moss. Let the moss dry between waterings (or just slightly damp). You can gently twist the keiki from the spike and pot.

I agree with Richard, NJ indoors is not the best place for a Vanda. Try to find your sunniest window and hang it there until summer, then put it outside. The difficult part is watering. You should try to mist the roots daily and soak the plant at least a few times a week.

Jane

Hi, Valerie,

For some of your specific repotting questions, check out the link below.

A couple of additions: You don't have to use white styrofoam not containing cornstarch in the bottom for drainage. You can use small (clean) stones. One advantage is they'll give the small pot some weight.

After potting the keiki, don't water it for a week, and put it in reduced light. Withholding water will allow any small tears in the roots and the connection to the mother plant to harden off so they won't be susceptible to infection.

At the end of the week, water only if the plant needs it. Increase light over a few days till it's back where it was.

Have fun! Whitecat8

Here is a link that might be useful: Repotting a Phalaenopsis