Pink Bouquet Shimmer

Orchid propagation can be as simple or as complex as you allow it to be. This is great news, because the wonderful propagation process can be used by beginner orchid gardeners, commercial orchid growers and on up to those involved in the creation of new hybrids. There is literally a process available for everyone.

There are six main types of orchid propagation that are commonly practiced. They are as follows: back bulb, division, aerial cuttings, keikis, seeds, and meristem tissue culture. Propagating orchids with seeds can be done at home although you will need an extremely sterile environment and a good deal of knowledge and experience to properly perform this, as well as a very gentle and precise touch. Orchid seeds can be very challenging to work with because of their dust-like quality. Meristem tissue culture propagation must also be performed in a very sterile environment and is best suited to a laboratory. Tissue culture propagation basically uses the plant cells of a healthy plant to reproduce, or often clone, more plants with the same makeup.

The remaining four methods do not need to be performed in a laboratory, although sterilization of the tools and table is always a good idea. Aerial cuttings are commonly taken from Dendrobium orchids to reproduce a healthy plant. This process is pretty quick and easy as you just snip them off and replant. Keikis are very common on Phalaenopsis orchids. They are a small plant that grows as a node along the flower spike of Phal's. You can clip these off and replant them as well. They will usually take 3.5 to 6.5 months to grow.

Another very common form of orchid propagation is to use the back bulbs of an orchid to grow a new plant. Again, because you are taking something from the parent plant, the new plants will generally mimic the original once they are fully grown, so pick an orchid that blooms well.

To propagate using back bulbs, simply sterilize your clippers and cut off as many of the little bulbs as you would like to grow. However, one important thing to make sure is that there are at least two good back bulbs on the original flowering plant. If you leave it with less than that it is not likely to survive.

After you have removed the back bulbs you will want to plant them and nurse them under the most ideal conditions for that species. Back bulb growth can be a long process. It will most like take 2-3 years for it to grow to a flowering stage, but if you make it that far, give yourself a big pat on the back. You've just crossed a new line as an orchid grower.

The quickest and easiest way to propagate an orchid is through the process of division. The best time to perform this method is when you are repotting your orchid because you need to have the root structure exposed. Simply remove the orchid from the pot and clear away all of the potting media that's tangled up in the roots. Grab your sterilized clippers and cut the orchid in half so that you have two distinct shoots and sets of roots. Repot them as normal and that's pretty much it. There are some variations as it relates to different species, but for the most part, that's all there is to it. Just make sure that each "new" orchid has at least two to three back bulbs before dividing so they will have the strength to grow in their new potting environment. Good luck and happy gardening!

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