That is probably the million euro question. How to reproduce orchids? The truth is that it is very difficult. It is very, very, very difficult to get a new specimen from the plant that you take so much care at home. But it's not impossible.
Still, I anticipate that for seeds it is not possible. Orchid seeds need to establish a symbiotic relationship with a specific fungus that is only found in their natural habitats, and in botanists' laboratories, of course. Therefore, let's see how to multiply these plants from keikis.
What are keikis?
Image - Gardeningknowhow.com
The keikis they are exact replicas of the mother plant that normally sprout from the flower rod. They can be quickly identified as they have their own aerial roots. But to get them out sometimes you have to "help" them a little. How? Very easy: after flowering, and when you no longer have flowers, The floral rod must be cut above a knot in the middle of it and the thin skin that covers it must be carefully removed. To help her a little more, we will use a flowering stimulating fertilizer for orchids following the instructions specified on the package.
Thus, we will have a greater probability of getting keikis, and therefore, new specimens of our plants.
When can they be separated from the orchid?
When these new plants have aerial roots between 3 and 4 centimeters and at least 3 leaves, we can take sewing scissors, disinfect them with alcohol and cut so that it is totally separated from the mother plant. Then, we will only have to plant it a substrate for orchids and a suitable pot (if it is epiphytic, we will opt for transparent plastic pots, but if it is terrestrial we will use colored plastic).
Did you know how orchids multiply? Dare to do it to have replicas of yours 🙂.
I have several orchids and although they are green on a terrace and the cold brought them home, they have never flowered (years) and some have even reproduced! Why don't they bloom?
Hello Karla.
They may be lacking -environmental- moisture or compost. You can spray them with lime-free water during spring and summer in the early morning or late afternoon, two or three times a week. Also in these seasons you can pay it with a fertilizer for orchids, following the instructions specified on the package.
A greeting.
Hello good night, can I water the orchids with tap water?
Hello Giovanni.
If it is water without lime, yes.
A greeting.
Hello, I have a Phalaenopsis, which is producing keikis on the floral rod and I want to ask a question:
How long can the roots take to emerge?
Hello, Martha.
It can take several weeks.
A greeting.
GREETINGS MONICA ... I AM PLEASED THAT YOU ARE HERE .... I HAVE A FLORAL ROD WITH KEIKIS AND LEAVES GROWING ,,, TO SOW IT IN A SUITABLE SUBSTRATE I SHOULD INTRODUCE THE KEIKIS IN THE SUSBSTARATE OR YOU MUST ALWAYS STAY AERIAL, THANK YOU… ANNOYANCE
Hi Peter.
Yes, the roots have to be a little buried.
Greetings.
Spontaneously, in an orchid that a relative had, he kept it in a very dark place, and that is why I think a Keiki appeared, with just two roots and the same number of leaves. Knowing how difficult it was to keep it alive, cutting it off at the time, I did. I sprayed it with water daily and sowed it with such dedication that it is stable and flourished. the two initial roots remain dark but I have my orchid !!!
I have a hepiphytic horchid that has grown a keiki, it has 4 leaves and the roots are 4 cm. I don't know when to separate it because now it has 2 flower branches?
Hello Teresa.
I recommend you wait for it to finish blooming. Then you can separate them.
Regards!
Thanks for this valuable information
Thanks to you Angelica for commenting. Greetings!