As soon as you own a few orchids, you’ll be itching to add to your collection. You can either buy more orchids, or you can propagate the ones you already own.
Propagating orchids can be a lot of fun, even if it takes longer than buying new orchids from a store (and usually cheaper than buying new orchids).
Propagation methods will depend on the type of orchid you own. More information on growing orchids from keikis, cuttings, and division can be found by continuing to read this article.
FROM CUTTINGS HOW TO GROW ORCHIDS
Despite the fact that cuttings are the most common method of propagating orchids, this is not the most common method used by plant owners. As a result, most orchids cannot be propagated by cuttings. For the vast majority of orchid species, it is preferable to use other methods of propagation.
There are a few orchids, however, that can be propagated via cuttings. In the event that you’ve got an orchid that is easily propagated from cuttings, then you’re in luck.
It is possible to propagate Phalaenopsis and other single-stemmed orchids from stem cuttings. Unless you have a dendrobium, it is impossible to propagate most orchids with multiple stems or bulbs from cuttings. It is possible to propagate some dendrobiums, such as Dendrobium Nobile, from cuttings Vining orchids can be easily propagated from cuttings, despite the fact that few people own them.
Step by Step Propagation of Orchids from Cuttings
- Clean and sharp scissors
- Replace the container with an orchid potting mix or sphagnum moss.
- Bags in clear plastic
Step 1:
The first step is to choose the stem you want to grow. In the case of phalaenopsis and other monopodial orchids, you will effectively cut the orchid in half. The roots at the bottom will be returned to their original container. Dendrobium Nobile cuttings should be divided into several cuttings, each containing 2-3 nodes, before being cut.
Step 2:
This is the second step in the process. Clear plastic bag to protect surfaces. Keep the cuttings in a bright, dry place.
Step 3:
Continue to water the cuttings and replenish moisture as needed. Roots will eventually appear. A successful propagation is indicated by this message. It may take up to four months for some orchid cuttings to begin growing, so be patient.
The process of cultivating orchids from divisions
It is possible to grow orchids from cuttings, but most orchids will not take to cuttings. Propagation from cuttings is unlikely to be successful with sympodial orchids (orchids with multiple canes).
Keep in mind, however, that there is an easy way to grow new orchids: division. Pseudobulbs form as sympodial orchids mature. By dividing your existing plant, you can produce a clone (usually in half).
The new orchid doesn’t have to wait to grow like with other methods of propagation. Instead, you have two smaller orchids, each with well-established roots, leaves, and stems, which should allow them to continue growing happily.
Dividing up orchids for propagation ONE STEP AT A TIME
Orchid division is a simple process. In order to divide, you must have a mature orchid that is ready to be transferred to a new pot. Every three years, this happens.
You can’t divide the same orchid every year to get new plants, but the success rate for growing new orchids from the division is extremely high. Repotting and dividing orchids are very similar processes.
Is dividing your orchids something you’d like to try?
It’s easy to repot a sympodial orchid once it’s mature and ready for a new container.
Step 1:
Remove the orchid from its container once it has finished flowering and is ready to be repotted. Divide the rhizomes into clumps after carefully separating the roots. Each clump should have at least three or four canes that are actively growing. There is a good chance that you will have to split the orchid in half unless you have an extremely large one.
Step 2:
A new growing medium should be used for each clump in Step 2. Maintain the normal level of care for each orchid.
After dividing orchids, you should not see a delay in blooming. Orchid dividing is an excellent method for propagating new orchids.
Grow orchids from KEIKIS
As the name suggests, ‘Keiki’ in Hawaiian refers to a child or a baby. A Keiki orchid is a small offshoot plant produced by the mother orchid near the base or on the stems. It’s basically a miniature version of the original.
It is very easy to remove these keikis and start a new plant with them. If you want to see keikis, you’ll want to look for Dendrobiums and Phalaenopsis orchids, which are more likely to produce them.
Seeing a keiki will likely arouse your desire to grow a second plant, and this is understandable. First, check to see how the mother plant is faring. It is only when the mother plant is under stress that some orchid species produce a large number of keikis. When a plant dies, its genetic material can be passed on to the next generation.
Even if you don’t see a keiki, it’s a good idea to check to see if your orchid is under any stress from its environment, just in case. Once you’ve confirmed that the mother plant is healthy, you can move on to the fun part—propagating a new orchid.
EXTRACT AND REPLANT THE ORCHID KEIKI?
Now that you have a new orchid from your orchid keiki, congrats! You’ve decided to plant your orchid keiki, despite the fact that some growers simply discard the keiki.
Here are the next steps.
Materials:
- Knife with a perfect edge
- A new orchid growing medium in a new container.
Step 1:
Allow the Keiki to remain on the mother plant until it has multiple leaves and its roots are between one and three inches long. Even though you’re eager to get started, the Keiki must be able to survive without the mother plant before you can remove it.
Step 2:
Carefully remove the Keiki from the mother plant using a sharp knife. Some orchid growers prefer to sprinkle cinnamon on the mother plant’s cut pieces. Cinnamon has antifungal properties because of its antibacterial properties.
Step 3:
Put the Keiki in the new container now that it’s ready. Sphagnum moss or orchid mix in a pot should be used as the growing medium.
Step 4:
Mist the soil around the Keiki to keep it moist as it grows. Direct sunlight should not be exposed to the Keiki. A young orchid requires less light and more water than a mature one..
As long as you take proper care of the plant, there should be no problem with it developing properly. Flowers may not appear for three or four years after a Keiki has reached maturity, so patience is a virtue.
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO REPRODUCE ORCHIDS?
Considering how difficult it is to grow orchids, you might expect them to be difficult to propagate as well. You’re partially correct if you make this assumption. Cuttings, keikis, and divisions, the methods we’ve discussed thus far, are relatively simple.
The propagation of some orchids should be straightforward if you use one of these methods, but this is not always the case.
In most cases, these more difficult orchids are grown commercially. Tissue cultures are the most common method of commercial plant propagation, and it necessitates specialized equipment and a sterile environment. This isn’t something you can do on your own.
Propagation of orchids using tissue cultures has the advantage of producing more orchids in a shorter period of time and on a larger scale. Commercial growers do not have the time to wait for their plants to produce keikis or to grow large enough to divide once every three years..
Commercial orchid growers sometimes start from seed to produce new varieties. Additionally, this procedure is costly and time-consuming. It’s possible to grow your own orchids from seed, but it’s a challenge to find seed suppliers. You can try to get a seedpod from your own orchids by hand-pollinating them.
After that, it’s time to start the seeds germinating. If you’re dedicated and willing to gather a lot of equipment and set up a sterile environment, you can do this at home. When grown from seed, orchids take years to mature, so you won’t see the fruits of your labor for some time.
Growing orchids from seed aren’t for everyone, but if it’s something you’re interested in, it’s worth a shot. And some people are able to successfully grow orchids from seed at home.
Most of us will continue to buy new orchids or use less challenging methods of propagation, and we’ll be fine.
HOW TO BREED ORCHIDS
Do you still have concerns about orchid propagation? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about orchid propagation.
ORCHID STEM ROOTING IN WATER: IS IT POSSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE?
When you try to root orchid stems in water, most orchids fail miserably. In order to increase the success rate of orchid propagation through cuttings, it is preferable to use a growing medium. This is not the case with orchids that grow on vines. Vining orchid cuttings can be rooted in water.
Frequently Asked Question: Is it possible to grow an orchid from a single leaf?
Most orchids can’t be propagated from a leaf. Certain varieties have been successfully propagated from leaves in a few cases by some growers, but this method is highly unlikely to be successful.
WHEN WILL AN ORCHID BE ABLE TO PRODUCE SEEDS?
To grow an orchid, you’ll need to know which propagation method you’re going to use. When using stem cuttings to start a new plant, expect to wait between three and four months for the plant to grow. When propagating through keikis or division, you can expect to see new growth more quickly. When you remove a keiki from its mother plant, the new plant is already in the process of forming. Dividing an already mature plant means that, unlike with cuttings or keikis, you won’t have to wait long for significant growth to occur.
DO ORCHID KEIKIS CONSTITUTE A HEALTHY FOOD?
However, it is not always the case that the mother plant is under stress when a keiki appears. Even in good health, some orchids produce keikis. However, if you notice a keiki on your orchid, it’s best to inspect its health.
What is the best time to remove an Orchid Keiki from your home?
For orchid keiki propagation, wait until multiple leaves and between 1-3 inches of root growth are visible before removing it from the mother plant. Remove the keiki as soon as you see it if you don’t want to grow a new plant from it. Some growers prefer to remove the keikis from the mother plant as soon as possible, but it won’t harm the plant in any way if you don’t remove the keiki.
