Are you one of the 71.5 million households in America engaged in gardening activities?1
If so, you may be interested in orchid propagation. The first orchid seeds were observed in the 16th century,2 and today, the global orchid trade is a thriving industry with a focus on both wild and cultivated plants.
As the market continues to grow now is the perfect time to learn about the various methods of orchid propagation. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower, here’s what you need to know to successfully grow and multiply your orchid collection.
Understanding Orchid Growth Patterns
Before diving into propagation methods, it’s essential to understand the two main growth patterns of orchids: monopodial and sympodial. Monopodial orchids, such as Phalaenopsis and Vanda, have a single root system and cannot be divided.
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On the other hand, sympodial orchids, like Cattleya and Dendrobium, produce pseudobulbs that can be separated and repotted to create new plants.
Propagating Sympodial Orchids: Dividing Pseudobulbs
One of the easiest ways to propagate sympodial orchids is by dividing their pseudobulbs. Here’s how:
- Remove the orchid from its pot and gently tease apart the roots.
- Locate the pseudobulbs along the main stem and identify the natural divisions, ensuring each section has 2-4 pseudobulbs.
- Using sterilized pruners or a sharp knife, cut away the sections.
- Dust the divisions with fungicide powder (cinnamon works well) to prevent disease.
- Pot up the divisions in fresh orchid mix and wait for new growth to appear within a month or two.
Propagating Monopodial Orchids: Encouraging Keikis
Monopodial orchids can be propagated through keikis, which are baby plants that grow from the mother plant. To encourage keiki formation:
- Cut a spent flower stem just above a stem internode and move the plant to a slightly dimmer location.
- Wait for keikis to form and develop 2-3 roots.
- Using sharp, sterilized equipment, slice away the keikis by cutting between the stem and the baby plant.
- Pot the keikis separately and provide them with the same care as the parent plant.
Growing from Stem Cuttings
While controversial, some growers have success propagating Vanda and Phalaenopsis orchids from stem cuttings. Here’s the process:
- Cut a stem with a keiki that is 10 inches long, just above a leaf node.
- Divide the stem into pieces, each with at least 2 growth nodes.
- Apply antifungal powder to the cut ends and place the stems horizontally in a tray of moist sphagnum moss.
- Cover the tray and place it in bright, indirect light, ensuring the moss stays moist.
- Once the cuttings have developed a full set of roots, pot them up using the same medium as the parent plant.
Growing Orchids from Seed
For the adventurous orchid grower, propagating from seed is a rewarding, albeit time-consuming, process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Harvest seeds from mature orchid pods when they start to split open.
- Sterilize the seeds by soaking them in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the seeds thoroughly with sterile water to remove any traces of bleach.
- Prepare a sterile growing medium using a nutrient-rich agar jelly in a clean, sealed container.
- Sow the sterilized seeds on the surface of the agar jelly using a sterile tool, such as a toothpick or tweezers.
- Seal the container and place it in a warm, bright location with indirect light.
- Monitor the seeds regularly for signs of germination, which can take several weeks to several months.
- Once the seedlings have developed a few leaves and roots, carefully transplant them into individual pots with a sterile orchid mix.
- Provide the seedlings with the appropriate care, including adequate light, humidity, and fertilizer, until they mature into adult plants.
Propagating orchids is a fantastic way to expand your collection and share your love of these beautiful plants with others. By understanding your orchids’ growth patterns and following the appropriate propagation methods, you’ll be well on your way to growing a diverse and thriving orchid garden.
Source:
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.