--- title: "Is this a keiki? 😳 About a month ago, I noticed a new pair of leaves…" description: "Is this a keiki? 😳 About a month ago, I noticed a new pair of leaves started growing in between the 2nd & 3rd leaves of my mom’s moth orchid instead of…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/mItugs0bNcNHuFGvSx1c0C" community: "The Orchid Oasis" author: "Surfside Seedling" published: "2024-12-07T22:12:51.589423Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/RxcwUuX7XE2iCNmuXGHAwELwbND3URzxwSZrcvtBeYc/eHY_rwgfSQSSq-iVQpBDWQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md) # Is this a keiki? 😳 About a month ago, I noticed a new pair of leaves… _Posted by Surfside Seedling on 2024-12-07_ Is this a keiki? 😳 About a month ago, I noticed a new pair of leaves started growing in between the 2nd \& 3rd leaves of my mom’s moth orchid instead of growing on top. If that wasn’t odd enough, they’re also growing in facing the opposite direction. I’ve never seen a keiki before, so I might just be being hopeful. I know the angles in the photos are confusing, but I tried my best. 😅 ![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/RxcwUuX7XE2iCNmuXGHAwELwbND3URzxwSZrcvtBeYc/eHY_rwgfSQSSq-iVQpBDWQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/RxcwUuX7XE2iCNmuXGHAwELwbND3URzxwSZrcvtBeYc/9eNUdZkBTwWmdz3gdJhNyw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/RxcwUuX7XE2iCNmuXGHAwELwbND3URzxwSZrcvtBeYc/m_XHEUpLSJmwnmzJ8UX_5g.webp?size=large) ## 11 comments ### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2024-12-07 It's hard to tell from the pics. But does kinda look like it's just random coming off the stems #### Surfside Seedling replied on 2024-12-07 Right?? It’s weird. Btw, thank you! I was hoping one of the pros would answer. 😜 #### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2024-12-07 😊 I'm definitely not an orchid pro. Just dipping my toes into it. I'm more familiar with bromeliad as far as epiphytes. I really wanna flask culture some orchids though. If it starts to grow it's own roots it's definitely one. #### Surfside Seedling replied on 2024-12-07 You’re definitely one of the pros I’ve seen on here! Your collection is crazy exotic, and you’re an active \& very knowledgeable Planta user. 😊 #### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2024-12-07 Aww thank you 😊 ### MeasomerPi commented on 2024-12-07 Looks like a keiki to me. Has it sprouted any roots? #### Surfside Seedling replied on 2024-12-07 Omg, stop! Really?! No, it doesn’t have any roots. #### MeasomerPi replied on 2024-12-07 I don’t think it’s typical for keikis to sprout above a leaf but I don’t know what else it could be. Phals are monopodial orchids so no branching. Wait to separate from the mother until you have at least 2” of leaves and 2” of roots. Hopefully Jen will be able to comment. It seems like she has a good amount of experience with phal keikis. #### Surfside Seedling replied on 2024-12-07 I didn’t think it would sprout there either. That’s why I’m so unsure. Thank you so much for your help \& opinion! Let’s see if Jen jumps in! 🤞 #### Jen replied on 2024-12-08 Oh! Hi! Yes- it seems to be a basel keiki to me as well. They CAN sprout between leaves, although, it’s more common to sprout at the base. You can leave the mother and baby plant attached or separate them as the Pi indicated above- when there are enough roots to support the new orchid. The only potential issue I see going forward is that if you decided to keep them together, the new roots would need to be sort of guided toward the medium around the lower leaves of the original plant. No biggie- just something to watch out for. #### Surfside Seedling replied on 2024-12-08 Thank you so much for your help, Jen! I’ll start looking into basel keikis now. I’m gonna be a Grammy, y’all! 🥹😂 --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_