We will obtain new orchid seedlings by… propagating older specimens. Depending on the prevailing home conditions, we can do it in different ways. The most popular method is the one with keikes. Find out how to properly propagate an orchid. We present the most important information about this treatment.
The first method we present is the propagation of orchids from seeds. In nature, plants are pollinated by insects and birds that carry pollen between the pistils of flowers.
We can do it by hand at home, however We will have to wait a few years for the first flowering of such a specimen propagated from seeds. All because orchid seeds do not contain nutrients, and in nature they germinate only thanks to the cooperation with mycorrhizal fungi.
In practice, growing such plants from seeds requires laboratory conditions and special nutrient, so it is difficult to carry out this procedure at home, although it is not completely impossible.
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In amateur breeding, orchid reproduction by keiki will be much betteri.e. small plants that grow on a shoot or pseudobulb. We must stick to specific rules so as not to weaken the parent specimen. Which ones are we talking about?
Keiki are found on well-maintained orchids. We increase the risk of new growth appearing when we cut the shoot after flowering has ended. Rooting products with Vaseline may also be helpful.
Once we have keiki on the mother plant, we separate them only when the roots grow to 2-3 cm and have 2-3 leaves. In the case of flowering young growth, refrain from pruning until flowering.
We cut off keiki with developed roots with a sharp, disinfected tool, taking care of the base. In case of damage, we do not soak the wound, we can only rinse the roots.
We place the new growths in a transparent pot filled with a light substrate with expanded clay. We put them into the vessel, placing the substrate and expanded clay alternately. Additionally, we shake the pot to let the soil settle. We start watering keiki after 2-3 days.
Orchids are propagated by dividing the plant for varieties, i.e. Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Miltoniopsis, Bulbophyllum. The treatment is performed on plants that have at least three pseudobulbs and one growth. Otherwise, their growth may be stunted.
First, we remove the specimen from the pot, clean the roots of the old soil and get rid of the rotten and damaged ones using a sharp and disinfected tool. We divide the orchid, maintaining the continuity of the pseudobulbs and place the separated fragment in a glass vessel filled with orchid substrate with a layer of expanded clay on the bottom. In this case, we also refrain from watering for a few days.
New seedlings require special attention. Only if you follow the most important care rules will orchids grow and bloom. So how should you care for them?
Above all we place them in a position with diffused light. Therefore, window sills from eastern or western windows will work best. On the southern ones, where the sun hits directly, delicate leaves may get burned.
It is also very important to avoid drafts and ensure an appropriate level of air humidity. We can increase it if we place the pot over a tray of water or over stones, or if we place an air humidifier near it.
Water young orchids only when their soil dries out. Excess water cannot remain in the container. We recommend doing water baths by immersing the pot in settled water at room temperature for a few minutes.
