The propagation methods and cultivation techniques of Phalaenopsis orchids
The editor answers questions for netizens about the propagation methods and cultivation techniques of Phalaenopsis orchids and provides explanations on four propagation methods for growing green plants and flowers. The following is an introduction for you.
I have previously introduced in detail how to care for Phalaenopsis orchids. Today, I will share with you how to propagate Phalaenopsis orchids. If you are worried about killing the orchids or want to cultivate more pots, don't miss this. Besides the tissue culture propagation and seeding propagation that cannot be operated at home, I will teach you three other propagation methods.
There are many ways to propagate Phalaenopsis orchids. When cultivating them at home, we should first rule out seeding propagation because it takes many years for Phalaenopsis orchids to grow from pollination, seed setting, to sprouting, and then to flowering plants. Phalaenopsis orchid pollination and seed setting are mainly for breeding new varieties, especially hybrid breeding, which interested friends can try.
When caring for potted Phalaenopsis orchids at home and wanting to propagate them, we generally use their flower spikes to promote the growth of buds into seedlings and then transplant them later.
I. High-node propagation
The specific operation method is divided into two types: one is to let the flower spike continue to stay on the mother plant, especially the flower spikes close to the rhizome base, generally keeping the first to third growth nodes from the rhizome base upward.
These retained flower spikes will have 1 to 3 growth nodes, and buds can be seen at the position of the growth nodes. Some buds may be withered and cannot grow into seedlings.
Of course, I also need to remind everyone that if the temperature is relatively low, especially between 9 to 15 degrees Celsius, the buds at these growth nodes may grow into flower buds instead of leaf buds. This depends on the ambient temperature.
Therefore, to allow the nodes of the flower spike to grow high nodes, it is also necessary to maintain a temperature of over 18 degrees, pay attention to placing the potted Phalaenopsis orchids in a sunny position, maintain high humidity, cut the flower spike after trimming, and apply some fertilizer to it in time, preferably a water-soluble fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients, such as Huaduo No. 1 or Huaduo No. 2.
The buds on the Phalaenopsis orchid spike will slowly grow into some high nodes, which will gradually grow leaves and roots. When the leaves grow to 3-4 or more and the roots grow to 3 or more, with a length of over 5 centimeters, they can be cut and cultivated again.
Of course, there is a more secure method, which is to wrap the root area of the high nodes with moss and use a small plastic pot to wrap it up, then spray water regularly, and continue to grow a young Phalaenopsis orchid plant on the mother plant, which is somewhat similar to high-pressure propagation.
The high nodes on the Phalaenopsis orchid spike will definitely affect the flowering of the mother plant, as the high nodes will continue to absorb the nutrients of the mother plant, but there is no way to avoid this.
II. Flower spike tissue culture propagation
Another method to promote the growth of seedlings from the Phalaenopsis orchid spike is to cut the entire flower spike and preferably do this before the flowers have completely withered. If the flowers have completely withered, they will consume all the nutrients in the flower spike, and the buds at the growth nodes will not be as active, greatly reducing the chance of successful cutting and growing.
1. Flower spike pruning
The Phalaenopsis orchid spike is generally pruned before the flowers wither, and the cut spikes can be divided into sections, each with at least one growth node, paying attention to choosing spikes with obvious buds.
The cut spikes can be cut into many sections and cuttings can be performed simultaneously to increase the success rate of the buds growing into seedlings.
2. Tool disinfection
Before cutting the Phalaenopsis orchid spike, pay attention to disinfecting your hands in advance, and the pruning shears and knives must be thoroughly disinfected. You can wipe them with alcohol to avoid infection of the cut spike with bacteria and to prevent black rot later. The containers used for cutting Phalaenopsis orchids should also be disinfected in advance. This step should not be omitted, as many friends have experienced bud rot at the cutting site due to lack of disinfection.
3. Use of bud promoters
To increase the chance of successful cutting of the Phalaenopsis orchid spike, you can prepare some bud promoters in advance, apply them evenly to the bud eyes at the growth nodes, and promote faster growth of seedlings.
4. Selection of cutting medium
After the Phalaenopsis orchid spike is cut into sections, it can be cuttings. You can prepare some glass containers or even modify a plastic bottle into a container, with some ceramsite or moss placed at the bottom of the container to increase aeration and humidity.
We insert the cut spikes into the moss or ceramsite, which is placed at the bottom of the container to hold the spikes in place.
Apply the bud promoter evenly to the bud eyes at the growth nodes of the Phalaenopsis orchid spike, and then place the bud eyes upwards on the ceramsite and moss in the container.
5. Post-cutting care
After planting the Phalaenopsis orchid spike, you can spray water to keep it moist, then cover it with a lid or plastic film, leaving some air holes for ventilation, and maintaining a high-humidity, high-temperature environment with adequate light.
The cut Phalaenopsis orchid spikes should be placed in a south or east-facing阳台 or window sill, with about 3-5 hours of sunlight exposure daily. Pay attention to keeping the ceramsite and moss moist, avoid drying, and you can also spray water on the surface of the container to increase environmental humidity. The temperature should be maintained above 18 degrees. In such an environment, it is easier to promote the growth of seedlings.
The bud points on the Phalaenopsis orchid spike will slowly grow into seedlings, which will also gradually grow roots. When the Phalaenopsis orchid seedlings grow larger, usually with 3-4 leaves and roots growing to three or more, and the roots are about 5 centimeters long, they can be transplanted.
III. Short-node propagation of Phalaenopsis orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids with buds at the base of the rhizome
The third method of propagating Phalaenopsis orchids is short-node propagation, commonly known as "cutting the head," which involves cutting the branches or stems of the plant. This method can be used to propagate Phalaenopsis orchids but is generally used on older plants. If your Phalaenopsis orchids are not yet strong and have only been grown for a year or two, this method is not suitable.
The older the Phalaenopsis orchids, the more leaves they have, and the leaves stack up and grow upwards, with the base of the stem also lengthening. If the Phalaenopsis orchids are young, their roots are distributed at the bottom of the rhizome and cannot be cut. If the Phalaenopsis orchids are older, their roots are distributed in the middle and lower parts of the rhizome.
When we cut the roots of the Phalaenopsis orchids, it is to ensure that after the rhizome base is separated into two sections, both parts of the stem have roots.
After cutting the Phalaenopsis orchids into two sections, the base of the rhizome with roots will grow many seedlings, which are actually hidden buds that are forced to grow out because the top of the rhizome has been cut off.
If the Phalaenopsis orchids are old enough and relatively strong, they can generally grow two or more bud eyes. The cut rhizome of the Phalaenopsis orchid should be dried and then replanted. This method of propagating Phalaenopsis orchids has a high success rate.
IV. Top-pinching (pinching) propagation
The fourth method of propagating Phalaenopsis orchids is top-pinching, which involves cutting off the top young buds and branches, preventing the orchid from growing upwards, causing it to grow more bud eyes at the base of the rhizome.
This method carries some risks and may not necessarily promote the growth of two or three seedlings. The key is that the age of the Phalaenopsis orchids should be over three years, and in terms of care, there should be adequate light, high temperature and humidity, and good environmental ventilation. These points should be grasped when propagating Phalaenopsis orchids.
Have you understood the propagation methods and cultivation techniques of Phalaenopsis orchids and the detailed introduction of the four propagation methods mentioned above?