How to propagate an orchid at home: with a peduncle and other options

On the Internet, the question is often asked whether it is possible to reproduce orchids at home. The answer is simple - yes, it is possible. The article contains everything about the reproduction of orchids - life hacks of practitioners and expert advice, orchid alphabet for beginners.

How the orchid reproduces

A baby has appeared on the orchid, another copy of your favorite orchid is needed, I want to please a friend with a chic indoor flower - all these cases boil down to one thing - there is a desire to know if it is possible to get a new plant at home.

Orchids can be propagated in two ways:

• generative (seeds);
• vegetative (green parts of the plant).

Temperamental beauties, whose sophisticated sophistication will take your breath away

In the first case, the result may differ from the parent instance. In the second, with vegetative breeding, an exact copy of the plant is obtained.

Few dare to start planting a plant without first collecting enough information about how the orchid reproduces. After all, it is better to immediately use suitable methods than to check the next knowledge and test on your colors.

When and how to propagate orchids

The main condition is the condition of the orchid. She must be old enough and guaranteed to be healthy. How to choose the right time for the reproduction of an orchid at home, because winter is the period of relative rest of the plant, summer is the time for increased growth of vegetative organs? The most acceptable time remains - spring.

The period after flowering is considered optimal, but not immediately, it is necessary to allow the plant to gather strength. The survival rate of plants directly depends on the observance of these conditions.

Options for how to propagate an orchid at home

Today, a lot of people are not just keen on orchids, but real fans of these unique plants. The ranks of amateurs are constantly growing, and information on the reproduction of orchids at home is very much in demand and relevant. The basics of this interesting lesson are of course the same, but some nuances, personal observations and advice will certainly not be superfluous.

How to propagate an orchid by division

An adult phalaenopsis with 6-8 full leaves can be divided into two parts and get two plants. This is done with a sharp, disinfected pruner. The top of a plant with several leaves and aerial roots is carefully cut off, the cut site is disinfected.

Delenka is placed in a new pot. The lower, remaining part should have at least 2-3 leaves. The fresh cut is also powdered with charcoal.

The way to propagate orchids is by dividing an adult plant

After several months, new babies are obtained from the lateral buds. They are planted in soil, which includes:

• small (no more than 1 cm) fractions of pine bark;
• pieces of sphagnum moss (fresh or dried);
• perlite or pieces of charcoal.

The easiest way to propagate Cattleya and oncidium at home is by dividing the bush into parts. Be sure to have 2-3 pseudobulbs on each of them. This operation is good for transplant. If the delenki are weakened, you should more closely monitor the humidity and temperature.

Cuttings

Cutting is within the power of even novice Orchievods.

The peduncle that has finished flowering at the base is separated from the mother plant. It is divided into pieces 3-4 cm long. The cuttings are cut in such a way that in the middle of each there is a dormant kidney. Both cuts on the handle are treated with charcoal (wood or activated) or hydrogen peroxide.

Prepared cuttings are placed in moist sphagnum, covered with foil or glass, forming a kind of mini-greenhouse. At a humidity of 60% and a temperature of 25-28 ° C, the cuttings germinate successfully.

This is what a stalk looks like with a baby growing on it.

If you put a peduncle with buds treated with hormonal paste in a bottle and add a little water, put it in a warm place, you can get a whole greenhouse.

Small plants are planted in small pots.

Children

It is not at all difficult to grow them, but not only patience is needed: you can simply wait for babies to appear on an adult phalaenopsis, or you can stimulate their appearance.

This is what the kids look like

This operation is not complicated, and it is done using cytokinin paste. It is smeared with sleeping buds on a peduncle. The thin but tight-fitting scales from the kidney should be carefully removed (using tweezers) and the paste should be applied. Then the treated area is covered with wet sphagnum moss.

Directly on the peduncle from a plastic bag, they make a shelter for the baby - a mini-greenhouse. The bag is tied on both sides and the plant is placed in a warm place until the bud germinates.

If the baby is independently formed on an uncircumcised peduncle, it is grown until a couple of leaves and roots appear. Then carefully cut with a sharp secateurs. The place of separation is treated with charcoal or cinnamon and left to dry.

All four stages of kidney stimulation work are clearly shown

However, this method does not always help to get a new plant, often another peduncle appears from the awakened bud. Interestingly, this seemingly unfortunate setback never stops orchid lovers. With enviable persistence, they continue to work in this direction further and achieve the desired results.

Some dendrobium species reproduce by layering. A shoot without leaves, but with a bud, is packed into a cocoon - a greenhouse. Compliance with the temperature regime and the required humidity, plus patience, in the end give a positive result - the awakened bud gives a new plant.

Baby orchid care

Care for young plants must be very scrupulous. The separated baby needs to be rooted. It is placed in a small greenhouse where the required temperature and humidity are maintained.

The emerging roots, grown to a length of 5 cm, are a signal that the baby can be planted in a pot as an independent plant. The primer is used in this case, ordinary, universal. But at first, it is recommended to use growth stimulants or fertilizers. Then the plant will be strong and healthy.

You can place pots with babies in a high pallet and install additional lighting. The temperature should be kept at 24 ° C.

Such small orchids should be watered more often, this is due to the small size of the pot

Seeds

To get an answer to the question of whether an orchid can be propagated by seeds, it is necessary to get acquainted with the morphological features of the plant. An orchid can bloom for several months. The fruit (dry capsule) in orchids consists of several valves, which open when dry.

And now the main thing: orchid seeds are very small, they look more like dust. The seed pod alone can contain more than 4 million seeds. In this regard, orchids are rightfully considered leaders among flowering plants in terms of productivity. But, without infection of seeds with a mycorrhizal fungus, they do not germinate.

Under sterile conditions, the seeds are placed in test tubes with a nutrient medium. Germination occurs subject to the required humidity and temperature conditions. The process is laborious and not fast. It sometimes takes up to 4 years to get an adult orchid. At home, the method is practically not feasible.

Air roots

Reproduction by aerial roots is possible, provided they are available in addition to the roots and stump. It happens that for some reason the orchid sheds its leaves, and an unsightly stump remains, which many throw away. Don't be in a hurry. You can try to use the remaining part as planting material, revive the orchid from the remaining roots. For this, a stump with roots is planted in a pot with soil.

The pot should match the size of the remaining roots. Do not forget about drainage, it can be created from expanded clay or large pieces of bark. The soil is filled with fresh, you do not need to invent anything, the usual universal (for orchids) will do.

Orchid: care and reproduction at home

The most common types of orchids are:

• phalaenopsis;
• dendrobiums;
• oicidiums;
• cattleya.

The most unpretentious and most popular are the first ones. Maybe that's why novice orchid growers pay more attention to them.

Translation of the name from Latin - "similar to a butterfly

Almost all orchids love diffused sunlight, not bright. But some species, on the contrary, do not really need it and feel great even away from the window.

It should not be forgotten that, if there is a need for fresh air, orchids still do not like drafts.

Watering and feeding

One sentence cannot tell you how to water your orchids. In the beginning, you should know that different types have their own characteristics in relation to moisture.

Phalaenopsis, for example, always love a moist substrate. Some types of terrestrial orchids prefer to dry for several months.

The need for watering is determined by the following criteria:

• the inner walls of the pot are dry;
• the color of the roots visible through the walls of the pot brightens (should be juicy green);
• the weight of the pot becomes much lighter;
• leaves lose turgor.

2-3 waterings per week are enough for the main types of orchids in the summer. In winter, watered no more than 2 times a month. It is recommended to water orchids in the morning.

Watering is carried out around the perimeter of the pot, being careful not to hit the base of the leaves. If it gets there, you should either dry it carefully, or make sure that the moisture evaporates. Stagnation of even a small amount of water in a leaf outlet leads to very rapid decay of the soft tissues of the orchid.

The main rule when watering is not to overdo it: it is better not to top up than to overflow. The temperature of the water used must be between 25 ° C and 35 ° C.

There is also watering by immersion in a container of prepared water. The plant is kept in it for up to 30 minutes. Then remove and allow excess water to drain.

Does the orchid need feeding? Yes, it needs, like all plants, for a long time in the same substrate.

At this stage, amateur performances are not encouraged. Orchids do not tolerate too much fertilizer. They should be bought in specialized stores, bred strictly in accordance with the instructions. Top dressing is carried out when watering. It is better to reduce the concentration than indicated by the manufacturer.

It is important not to harm. An excess of fertilizer lowers the orchid's immunity. In the summer, two additional dressings are enough.

Humidity and temperature

Orchid is a tropical flower that requires high humidity. This is achieved by increasing the humidity in the room to 60–70% using household humidifiers.

At home, you can simply arrange small containers of water. Group planting works well, orchids are placed among other plants, the microclimate inside a kind of oasis has a beneficial effect on orchids.

Although, in fact, there are many ways to raise the humidity of the air, it is important to find the most appropriate in any particular case.

The room temperature should be at least 22 ° C, not higher than 32 ° C.

Many orchids can be encouraged to bloom by adjusting humidity and temperature. In winter, it is lowered to 16 ° C. The higher the temperature, the higher the humidity should be.

Lighting

The main factor for flowering orchids is lighting. The amount of daylight hours directly affects flowering. Its duration should be at least 12 hours. The necessary additional illumination is carried out with special lamps, which can be bought at a flower shop. They are economical and inexpensive.

Lighting

As mentioned above, the orchid loves diffused light. Direct sunlight, especially in summer, causes leaf burns. With an excess of light, the leaves become stained and turn yellow. With a lack, on the contrary, they become dark. The east or west side is most suitable.

Providing appropriate flower care, healthy planting material is obtained, ready for transplantation and further breeding. Reproduction of orchids is a very exciting activity and a real opportunity, applying the above tips in practice, to feel like the creator of a beautiful orchid garden. This small practical guide will help you get rid of possible failures, and most importantly, avoid mistakes.