Successful propagation of Orchids
Orchids can be propagated in two methods vegetative and generative propagation. Take a look at this wide range of propagators
Vegetative propagation
This uses parts of a growing plant. Rooted or uprooted parts are taken from the parent and then allowed to continue growing in pots or tests tubes. The plants will be the same as there parents because there was no pollination to influence their genetic material. This is perhaps the simplest methods of propagating orchid flowers.
Vegetative propagation can be done in a lot of methods:
- By division
- By cutting off small daughter plants
- By rooting shoots or cuttings
Through meristem culture - A small part of a cell from a budding shoot is peeled off and placed in a test tube with sterile nutrient solution. A lump of tissue develops and this can be divided up into small pieces and propagated in other test tubes. Thus exact replicas of the parent plant are created. Orchids that are propagated using this method are called mericlone orchids and they are very resistant to disease.
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When is an orchid ready to propagate?
Young plants are not ideal candidates for vegetative propagation. Large plants that are healthy and strong are suitable. Orchids that are not flowering can be used successfully in vegetative propagation. Daughter plants which will have formed on the parent plant and plants with overhanging bulbs can be used for vegetative propagation. Its good practice to propagate orchids during spring, during repotting or soon after flowering as this allows parts of the young plants to root better.
Hygiene
Orchids are most vulnerable to disease-causing agents during and after propagation. Good hygiene can go a long way and cause the effects of disease-causing agents to be minimal. Use alcohol to disinfect scissors before and after cutting. Dust cut surfaces with antiseptic charcoal powder. Treat large cut surfaces with prophylactic fungicide.
Let cut surfaces dry out before planting them in fresh compost.
Methods of propagation
The methods of propagation will depend on growth. Monopodial orchids (which only have one shoot) are propagated differently from sympodial orchids.
Propagation from the division of monopodial orchids
These orchids normally break apart into two or more plants when the compost is removed during repotting. Each plant can then be repotted separately. Paphiopedilum is propagated in this manner.
Propagation from the division of sympodial orchids
Sympodial orchids (several roots) are divided so that each new plant has at least 3-5 bulbs with leaves. 6 single row bulbs can be divided into 2 plants. Cattleya is propagated using this technique.
Propagation from daughter plants
The daughter plants that will have developed on the stalk of flowers are removed. When they have formed their own rootlets they are cut off together with part of the stalk of the parent plant. The daughter plant is ten fixed to the surface of the compost with a wire clip. Phalaenopsis can be propagated as such.
Propagation from cutting of monopodial orchids
Orchids that will have grown too tall are cut off at the uppermost parts of the stem. Just under the aerial roots. The removed part is planted in very aerated, coarse bark compost. Vandal can be propagated using this method due to its height (26 cm)
Propagation from cuttings of symbodial orchids
Cuttings can be taken from the stalks of symbodial orchids. A cutting should be at least 10 -15 cm and have 4 or 5 segments.
Generative Propagation of orchids
It is very difficult and time consuming to grow orchids from seed. Pollination off different genetic material occurs and seeds develop. Successful pollination is possible between 2 different plants of the same species, 2 species of the same genus, hybrids of one genus with hybrids of another and hybrid