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You can remove orchid pups from plant once the mother orchid has finished blooming and the pups, also called keikis, have developed their own roots.
Removing orchid pups from plant is a rewarding way to multiply your orchids, and it’s easier than you might think.
If you’ve noticed small plantlets sprouting from the flower spike or the base of your orchid, you can remove orchid pups from plant with just a few simple tools and some patience.
These baby orchids are essentially clones of the parent, so when you remove orchid pups from plant correctly, you get a brand new orchid that will eventually bloom with the same beautiful flowers.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to remove orchid pups from plant step by step, when to do it, and how to care for the keikis after they’re separated.
Let’s get growing.
When to Remove Orchid Pups From Plant
Knowing when to remove orchid pups from plant is the most important part of the whole process.
If you remove orchid pups from plant too early, the keiki may not survive because it hasn’t developed enough roots to sustain itself.
If you wait too long, the mother orchid might get stressed, but generally it’s better to err on the side of waiting.
1. Look for a Good Root System
The golden rule for when to remove orchid pups from plant is to wait until the keiki has at least three to four healthy roots that are about two to three inches long.
These roots should be firm and green or silvery, not mushy or brown.
When you remove orchid pups from plant with this much root growth, the baby orchid has the best chance of thriving on its own.
It’s tempting to act as soon as you see a tiny pup, but resist the urge.
2. Consider the Number of Leaves
Another sign that it’s time to remove orchid pups from plant is when the keiki has at least three to four leaves.
Leaves are the power generators for the little orchid.
Having a few leaves means the pup can photosynthesize and produce energy once it’s separated from the mother.
When you remove orchid pups from plant that have both good roots and a few leaves, you’re setting up the new orchid for success.
3. The Season Matters Too
Spring is generally the best season to remove orchid pups from plant because the plant is in active growth mode.
If you remove orchid pups from plant during the dormant winter months, the keiki may struggle to establish itself.
Aim for a time when the weather is mild, and the plant isn’t under any stress from extreme heat or cold.
Tools You’ll Need to Remove Orchid Pups From Plant
Before you start, gather a few essential tools to make the process clean and safe.
You don’t need anything fancy, but using the right tools helps prevent disease and damage.
1. Sterilized Cutting Tool
You’ll need a sharp, sterilized knife, razor blade, or pair of pruning shears to remove orchid pups from plant.
Sterilizing is crucial because orchid tissue is very susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
You can sterilize your tool by wiping it with rubbing alcohol or holding it over a flame for a few seconds.
A clean cut when you remove orchid pups from plant reduces the risk of rot on both the pup and the mother.
2. Cinnamon or Fungicide Powder
Cinnamon is a natural antifungal that works wonders when applied to fresh cuts.
When you remove orchid pups from plant, you’ll be making cuts on both the keiki and the mother plant.
Dusting those cuts with cinnamon helps seal them and keeps pathogens away.
Alternatively, you can use a commercial fungicide powder made for orchids.
3. Fresh Potting Mix and a Small Pot
Have a small pot ready with fresh orchid bark or sphagnum moss before you remove orchid pups from plant.
The pot should be just big enough to hold the roots comfortably, about two to three inches in diameter.
Fresh growing medium is important because old mix may harbor bacteria or pests.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Orchid Pups From Plant
Now let’s get to the practical part.
Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll successfully remove orchid pups from plant without harming anyone.
1. Prepare Your Workspace
Start by laying out all your tools and supplies on a clean surface.
You’ll want good lighting so you can see exactly where to make your cuts.
It might be helpful to have a tray or paper towel to place the keiki on while you work.
Preparing your workspace makes it easier to remove orchid pups from plant quickly and cleanly.
2. Locate the Connection Point
Carefully examine where the pup is attached to the mother plant.
If it’s a basal keiki (growing from the base), you’ll see it connected to the main stem.
If it’s a keiki on a flower spike, you’ll find it growing at a node on the spike.
To remove orchid pups from plant, you need to find the exact junction where the pup’s stem meets the parent.
3. Make the Cut
Using your sterilized tool, make a clean, swift cut at the connection point.
For a keiki on a flower spike, cut about one inch below the pup’s roots.
For a basal keiki, cut as close to the mother plant as possible without cutting into the main stem.
When you remove orchid pups from plant this way, you leave enough tissue on the pup to support its roots.
4. Dust the Cuts
Immediately after you remove orchid pups from plant, dust the cut areas with cinnamon powder.
Do this on both the pup’s cut surface and the cut surface on the mother plant.
This step is quick but essential for preventing fungal infections.
Let the cinnamon sit for a few minutes to dry and form a protective layer.
5. Pot the Pup
Fill your small pot with fresh orchid mix.
Gently place the keiki’s roots into the pot, spreading them out naturally.
Hold the pup at the base and add more mix around the roots, pressing lightly to keep it stable.
Don’t bury the crown of the plant; the base of the leaves should sit just above the mix.
Water lightly after potting, but make sure not to soak the mix.
Caring for Orchid Pups After You Remove Them From the Plant
Your job isn’t done after you remove orchid pups from plant.
The keiki needs special care to establish itself in its new home.
1. Provide High Humidity
Baby orchids love humidity, around 50 to 70 percent is ideal.
After you remove orchid pups from plant, place the pot in a humid spot or use a humidity tray.
You can also create a mini greenhouse effect by covering the pot with a clear plastic bag for the first couple of weeks.
Just make sure the bag has a few holes for air circulation.
2. Water Sparingly but Consistently
The roots of a newly separated keiki are delicate.
Water when the top inch of the mix feels dry, usually about once every five to seven days.
When you remove orchid pups from plant, they don’t have a big root system to absorb lots of water.
Overwatering is the biggest killer of young keikis, so err on the dry side.
3. Give It Indirect Light
Place your new orchid pup in bright, indirect light.
A north or east-facing window is perfect.
Avoid harsh direct sunlight because the young leaves can burn easily after you remove orchid pups from plant.
If the leaves start to look pale or yellow, move it to a shadier spot.
4. Be Patient With Fertilizer
Don’t fertilize your keiki for at least four to six weeks after you remove orchid pups from plant.
The roots are too sensitive for the salts in fertilizer.
After that initial period, you can start with a diluted orchid fertilizer, about half strength, once a month.
Your patience will pay off with stronger roots and healthier growth.
So, How Do You Remove Orchid Pups From Plant?
You can remove orchid pups from plant by waiting for the right signs, using sterilized tools, and following the steps we covered.
You remove orchid pups from plant successfully when the keiki has at least three or four roots and leaves of its own.
Then you make a clean cut, dust the wounds with cinnamon, and pot the pup in fresh orchid mix.
After that, you provide high humidity, indirect light, and gentle watering to help the keiki thrive.
In this post, we’ve covered when to remove orchid pups from plant, the tools you need, and the aftercare that ensures your new orchid grows into a healthy, blooming plant.
Now you’re ready to grow your orchid collection one pup at a time.