Multiple Orchid Propagation Techniques For Orchid Owners
Other techniques of orchid propagation which can be done under normal house (or greenhouse) conditions include division, back bulbs, keikis, and aerial cuttings.
Division is a technique used when the orchid has "outgrown" its pot already.
This is an opportunity for you to grow another orchid; instead of just repotting the growing orchid, divide it and repot them separately.
Take note that larger plants produce more flowers, so make the largest division possible.
This technique will not only make you have more orchids but this stimulates new, healthy shoots on the original plant as well.
The back bulbs technique makes use of the back bulbs, the older growth of the orchids that are removed when the orchids are repotted.
The back bulbs can be repotted and can still propagate orchids.
However, it could take a couple of years, some even 3 years for it to flower.
However, the length of time involved can make most orchid growers restless and impatient.
The keikis technique got its name from the Hawaiian word "keiki" which means child or baby.
This technique is specifically applicable for the Moth Orchid variety wherein little nodes grow on the stem.
The moment two to three leaves plus some roots already develop (which is about 6 months from the first appearance of the keiki or node), these nodes can be removed using a sterile blade and be repotted.
Aerial cutting is a technique that is applicable to the Dendrobium variety of orchids.
These kinds of orchids tend to produce some aerial shoots (or bulbs) as it grows older.
From the moment these bulbs are produced, it takes a period of about 3 to 4 months for the roots to develop.
Once it has developed, that is the time that you can detach these shoots or bulbs and have them repotted.
Of all the propagation techniques, aerial cutting has the biggest chance of success because the time it is being repotted, the plant is already developed; in fact it is nearly full grown by the right time for it to be repotted.
However, the different techniques have their own strengths of their own, especially with regards to the kind of orchid you are trying to propagate.
Division is a technique used when the orchid has "outgrown" its pot already.
This is an opportunity for you to grow another orchid; instead of just repotting the growing orchid, divide it and repot them separately.
Take note that larger plants produce more flowers, so make the largest division possible.
This technique will not only make you have more orchids but this stimulates new, healthy shoots on the original plant as well.
The back bulbs technique makes use of the back bulbs, the older growth of the orchids that are removed when the orchids are repotted.
The back bulbs can be repotted and can still propagate orchids.
However, it could take a couple of years, some even 3 years for it to flower.
However, the length of time involved can make most orchid growers restless and impatient.
The keikis technique got its name from the Hawaiian word "keiki" which means child or baby.
This technique is specifically applicable for the Moth Orchid variety wherein little nodes grow on the stem.
The moment two to three leaves plus some roots already develop (which is about 6 months from the first appearance of the keiki or node), these nodes can be removed using a sterile blade and be repotted.
Aerial cutting is a technique that is applicable to the Dendrobium variety of orchids.
These kinds of orchids tend to produce some aerial shoots (or bulbs) as it grows older.
From the moment these bulbs are produced, it takes a period of about 3 to 4 months for the roots to develop.
Once it has developed, that is the time that you can detach these shoots or bulbs and have them repotted.
Of all the propagation techniques, aerial cutting has the biggest chance of success because the time it is being repotted, the plant is already developed; in fact it is nearly full grown by the right time for it to be repotted.
However, the different techniques have their own strengths of their own, especially with regards to the kind of orchid you are trying to propagate.
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