By James Thomas 
Propagating orchids can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for any plant lover. While orchids are usually seen as delicate and hard to grow, anyone can propagate these beautiful flowers with the proper knowledge and practices.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, this blog will teach you everything you ought to know almost propagating orchids.
Here, you’ll find all the information you need to grow orchids, from the other propagation methods to the best conditions for success.
Orchid planters with holes are indeed useful for the propagation of orchids.
Propagation Methods for the Types of Orchids
Orchids have two different growth patterns. Before you start propagating a plant, it is key to identify its growth habit:
Sympodial orchids, which are the more common type, have a growth habit similar to that of irises and other flowering plants that start as bulbs and rhizomes. Sympodial orchids,like cattleyas and oncidiums, produce rhizomes that form pseudobulbs, thickened areas of the stem that store food and water. Bloom points are generated from the tips, sides, or base of the most recent growth (the newest pseudobulbs). These orchids are propagated by section and back bulbs.
Monopodial orchids such as phalaenopsis and vanda grow loftier each year from one central stem. Leaves alternate in two rows on opposite flanks of the stem with flower spikes and aerial roots appearing either at the junction of leaf to stem or opposite a leaf. To propagate this plant, split the aerial roots or remove and pot any keikis.
When to Propagate Orchids
Only propagate an orchid after it has finished its bloom cycle but before you repot or refresh the planting medium. The exception to this rule is if a keiki (baby) emerges on a flowering stem, which can be cleared and planted in its pot.
A sign that your sympodial orchid is prepared for division is when the plant outgrows its pot, especially when young pseudobulbs begin producing seeds.
How to Propagate an Orchid: Step-by-Step Guide
Propagating an orchid can be a rewarding venture for any orchid enthusiast. While it may seem daunting, it is quite simple with the proper instructions and tools.
Let’s go via how to propagate orchids from roots, whether it’s a Phalaenopsis or a monopodial orchid like a Vanda.
What You’ll Need.
- Disinfected Pruning Shears: Before you start multiplying your orchid, make sure to disinfect your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol. Any possible diseases or pests will be prevented by doing this.
- Appropriately Sized Orchid Planters or Hangers: Once you have propagated your orchid, you will need a proper container to place it in. Ensure the planter or hanger is the right size for your orchid’s requirements.
- Sphagnum Moss: Sphagnum moss is an ideal growing medium for orchids. It retains moisture while still allowing for proper drainage, creating an ideal environment for root development.
Steps to Growing Orchids From Cuttings
Most plant lovers are likely familiar with taking cuttings of their favorite plants to create new plants. Surprisingly, when it comes to orchids, taking cuttings is not the most often used propagation method. There’s a good reason: although cuttings are among the easiest methods to propagate plants, many types of orchids won’t successfully grow from cuttings.
- The good information is that phalaenopsis and other single-stem orchids can be propagated from cuttings. Some dendrobium orchids or other multi-stem orchids, like dendrobium nobile, will grow from cuttings as well. Unfortunately, most multiple-stem orchids will not increase from cuttings.
- Also, vining orchids are super comfortable to propagate from cuttings. However, vining orchids are not as popular among orchid lovers as some other orchid varieties as they are difficult to keep alive. It’s too bad because with vining orchids, you just cut a little of the vine and the cutting will root readily. Keeping it growing indoors long enough to take a cutting in the foremost place is the tricky part. We won’t discuss how to propagate vining orchids in this report because they are not commonly kept as houseplants.
- Even though not all orchids can be raised from cuttings, if you have an orchid that will propagate from a cutting, you’re in luck. In my opinion, growing orchids from cuttings is the most straightforward method of propagation.
Keep reading to discover out what to do to successfully grow orchids from cuttings.
1. Select an Orchid Cutting
Once you’ve decided that you can propagate your orchid from cuttings, then it’s time to select the stem you want to propagate. Naturally, you’ll want to start with a healthy orchid to give your unique orchid the best chance of survival.
- If you are propagating a single-stem orchid (also known as a monopodial orchid) such as phalaenopsis, you will be basically cutting the orchid stem in half. Leaving the lowest half with the roots still attached in the original container, you’ll grow the new orchid from the top half. The bottom half will resume to grow even after the top half is removed. If everything goes well, you’ll finish up with a second orchid identical to the first.
If you are taking a cutting from a multi-stem orchid (also understood as a sympodial orchid) like dendrobium nobile, you’ll cut one cane from the orchid and then split the cane into several cuttings. Each cutting should have 2 to 3 nodes. Remember that not all sympodial orchids will reproduce from cuttings, so check that yours can before taking cuttings. It’s not a huge deal if you try to take cuttings from a sympodial orchid that won’t bear this way. You probably won’t harm the orchid, but you also won’t get any marks!
Wait until your orchid has quit blooming and the flowers have started to fade before taking cuttings.
2. Make an Orchid Cutting
Before you start taking an orchid cutting, make sure all your supplies are ready to go.
Here’s what you’ll require.
- 1-Sharp, clean scissors
- 2-A new container
- 3-Sphagnum moss or orchid potting mix
- 4-Clear plastic bag
It’s very necessary to use sterile equipment when taking cuttings because using unclean equipment can introduce bacteria that can harm your orchid. A quick and straightforward way to disinfect your scissors is to use rubbing alcohol to wipe off the blades and then run clean moisture over them.
This takes a few extra seconds but will help ensure you get a fit new orchid from your cutting.
Some growers choose to dip the amount ends in cinnamon or charcoal. These natural antifungal agents can help prevent your cuttings from growing bacterial or fungal infections, however, this step isn’t necessary. As long as you keep your tools clean, your orchid cuttings shouldn’t have a situation in the first place.
3. Root an Orchid Cutting
To embed your orchid cutting, you’ll just need sphagnum moss or orchid potting mix. Don’t try to use regular potting soil because it will be too thick for the new orchid.
You can buy retail rooting hormones to help encourage new root growth, but this product is optional. Although rooting hormones can help plants root quickly, orchid cuttings can root on their own without it. Whether you decide to use rooting hormones or not relies on how patient (or impatient!) you are.
How Long for Orchid Cutting to Grow Roots?
Waiting for orchid cuttings to grow roots needs patience. If the propagation is successful, you will see root growth, but it’s not uncommon for some orchid cuttings to take 3 or 4 months before showing symptoms of growth.
Propagating orchid cuttings may not be a fast process, but it is exciting when your patience finally pays off and you see roots beginning to form.
Once the roots reach about 3 inches long, you can feel guaranteed that the propagation is going well even if you aren’t seeing as much growth in other areas. Orchids need well-developed roots to become healthy, grown plants.
| Aspect | Sympodial Orchids (for instance, Cattleyas, and Oncidiums) | Sympodial Orchids (for instant, Cattleyas, and Oncidiums) |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Pattern | Design from rhizomes, forming pseudobulbs at the base. | Grow vertically from a main stem. |
| Propagation Method | Division, backbulb break, or keiki propagation. | Keiki propagation or root section. |
| Ideal Time to Propagate | After the flower cycle completes; before repotting. | After the flower cycle completes; before repotting. |
| Tools Needed | Disinfected pruning shears, sphagnum moss, and and fresh pot. | Disinfected pruning shears, sphagnum moss, and and fresh pot. |
| Cutting Process | Cut canes with 2-3 nodes for dendrobiums and equal. | Cut the stem in half, keeping the lower part with roots untouched. |
| Rooting Medium | Cut the stem in half, keeping the lower part with roots untouched. | Cut the stem in half, keeping the lower part with roots untouched. |
Conclusion
Propagating orchids is a rewarding and fulfilling method that allows you to expand your collection or share the beauty of these gorgeous flowers with others.
You can successfully recreate new orchid plants from existing ones by comprehending the different propagation methods, like division, backbulb, and keiki propagation.
Remember to prioritize hygiene and careful handling throughout the procedure to ensure the health and vitality of your orchids. You can enjoy the beauty and splendor of a thriving orchid garden with patience, care, and experimentation.
FAQs
1. Can you grow orchids from slices?
Yes, you can grow orchids from slices, but not all orchid kinds respond well to this system. Orchids like Dendrobium and Epidendrum are more suited for growing from slices, as they’ve stems that can be fluently propagated.
2. How do I take slices from an orchid?
To take slices, choose a healthy, mature orchid factory with a long stem. Use castrated scissors to cut a section of the stem with at least two bumps( small bumps where leaves or roots grow). ensure the slice is about 6 elevations long.
3. What’s the stylish way to root orchid slices?
After cutting, let the stem dry for a day. also, place the slice in a blend of wettish sphagnum moss or orchid dinghy. Keep it in a warm, sticky terrain with circular light. Over time, roots will develop from the bumps.