Orchid propagation is a little more difficult than propagating other types of garden plants.
However, propagating orchids involves different techniques that make the process easy.
There are six major techniques in orchid propagation.
These are the division, back bulbs, aerial cutting, keiki, meristem and seed propagation.
Two of these techniques can be done at home or in greenhouse, while two of these must be done in a laboratory to maintain the sterility of the orchids.
Orchid propagation by division is the most common as well as the simplest and the best method.
Division is done by separating the original plant from the new growths, or sorting out the orchids' roots and separating them from one another.
This procedure of orchid propagation is very easy and will definitely produce a large quantity of plants.
If there is new growth from the original plant, carefully cut the rhizome to separate them.
If there are a lot of healthy roots, divide them so that each root contains one shoot.
When each division is cared for properly, it can produce a full-sized orchid.
Another simple technique is propagating by back bulbs.
This is the procedure of producing a new plant from the old back pseudobulbs with or without flowers.
However, this method takes many years for the orchid to bloom a fully-sized flower.
The process involves removing the old back bulbs and placing them in ideal planting places with good growing conditions to stimulate rooting.
The third technique is orchid propagation by aerial cutting.
This procedure is commonly done on the Dendrobium type of orchids such as the Nobile.
This technique is easy to do because the orchid is nearly fully grown before it is removed from the parent plant.
Moreover, this method does not require fertilization, so the new plant will be similar to its parent plant.
The fourth major technique in propagation is the propagating by keiki.
A keiki is a small plant grown on a lump along the flower which will eventually develop new branches when grown in normal conditions.
Keiki's are produced by the Phalaenopsis type of orchids.
The fifth major technique is orchid propagation by meristem or tissue culture.
This technique is not common since it needs laboratory conditions to enable new growth.
Laboratory conditions require extreme cleanliness and sterility of the propagating area.
Without these conditions, propagation will be useless.
Meristem or tissue culture is not really recommended for home or greenhouse propagation because sterility and cleanliness cannot be achieved under those conditions.
The last main technique in propagation is another method that also requires laboratory conditions.
Absolute cleanliness and sterility are necessary; otherwise every attempt will be unsuccessful.
Orchid seeds are similar to dust and ashes, and unlike ordinary seeds, these seeds do not have starch content which helps sustain seed growth.
Orchid propagation by seed is really a special technique for developing new growths of the plant.
Every technique comes with its own special methods, and these methods are the most effective means for propagating orchids.
Knowing the major techniques in orchid propagation will help you know the best propagation technique that is suitable for you.
However, propagating orchids involves different techniques that make the process easy.
There are six major techniques in orchid propagation.
These are the division, back bulbs, aerial cutting, keiki, meristem and seed propagation.
Two of these techniques can be done at home or in greenhouse, while two of these must be done in a laboratory to maintain the sterility of the orchids.
Orchid propagation by division is the most common as well as the simplest and the best method.
Division is done by separating the original plant from the new growths, or sorting out the orchids' roots and separating them from one another.
This procedure of orchid propagation is very easy and will definitely produce a large quantity of plants.
If there is new growth from the original plant, carefully cut the rhizome to separate them.
If there are a lot of healthy roots, divide them so that each root contains one shoot.
When each division is cared for properly, it can produce a full-sized orchid.
Another simple technique is propagating by back bulbs.
This is the procedure of producing a new plant from the old back pseudobulbs with or without flowers.
However, this method takes many years for the orchid to bloom a fully-sized flower.
The process involves removing the old back bulbs and placing them in ideal planting places with good growing conditions to stimulate rooting.
The third technique is orchid propagation by aerial cutting.
This procedure is commonly done on the Dendrobium type of orchids such as the Nobile.
This technique is easy to do because the orchid is nearly fully grown before it is removed from the parent plant.
Moreover, this method does not require fertilization, so the new plant will be similar to its parent plant.
The fourth major technique in propagation is the propagating by keiki.
A keiki is a small plant grown on a lump along the flower which will eventually develop new branches when grown in normal conditions.
Keiki's are produced by the Phalaenopsis type of orchids.
The fifth major technique is orchid propagation by meristem or tissue culture.
This technique is not common since it needs laboratory conditions to enable new growth.
Laboratory conditions require extreme cleanliness and sterility of the propagating area.
Without these conditions, propagation will be useless.
Meristem or tissue culture is not really recommended for home or greenhouse propagation because sterility and cleanliness cannot be achieved under those conditions.
The last main technique in propagation is another method that also requires laboratory conditions.
Absolute cleanliness and sterility are necessary; otherwise every attempt will be unsuccessful.
Orchid seeds are similar to dust and ashes, and unlike ordinary seeds, these seeds do not have starch content which helps sustain seed growth.
Orchid propagation by seed is really a special technique for developing new growths of the plant.
Every technique comes with its own special methods, and these methods are the most effective means for propagating orchids.
Knowing the major techniques in orchid propagation will help you know the best propagation technique that is suitable for you.