When an orchid appears in a flower garden - it looks like a small miracle, a rare home plant can compare with it in beauty and singularity. As a rule, very soon one flower becomes insufficient, there are only two ways out of this situation: buy another adult plant or try to propagate your favorite orchid at home.
Even for the most inexperienced florist the second option is of much greater interest. There are several ways to grow orchids. The easiest and most reliable of them is reproduction through the flower stalk.
What is flowering shoot?
During the flowering period, the orchid produces a flower stalk, a long straight shoot, directed upwards or towards the light. It is on it that the buds are formed, which later bloom with wonderful flowers, which are the main pride of this plant.
In the initial stages, it is almost impossible to distinguish the flower from the air root., both begin to grow at the junction of the leaf and the trunk, and look almost the same. The difference becomes apparent when the process reaches a length of several centimeters.
Pros and cons of this breeding method
For the first time it is very exciting to reproduce orchids, a lot depends on the breeding method chosen. In this case, the advantages are undeniable:
- does not require extensive experience and knowledge;
- does not cause damage to an adult plant;
- buds on the spike can wake yourself;
- most plants subsequently rooted successfully.
You should not, however, forget about a number of features of reproduction through the flower stem:
- the flower chosen for propagation must be adult and fully formed, it must have at least four full leaves;
- the plant should not be sick, weakened or infested with parasites;
- the root system must be healthy and fully meet all the needs of the orchid;
- for reproduction, only fresh peduncle with several live buds is suitable.
Fundamental rules
Stress is the factor that triggers the process of transforming a dormant bud on a flower stalk into a new plant.
That is why it is so important to maintain the necessary conditions throughout the breeding season.
- Temperature should be above room, not below +25 degrees. Exceeding the mark of +30 degrees is not recommended, it is very likely to lead to overheating and possible death of the plant.
Watering need to be reduced to twice a month.- Humidity should remain high - 60-80%.
- Use top dressing and fertilizer is strictly not recommended.
Watering need to be reduced to twice a month.The optimal period for orchid breeding is from the end of February until the beginning of summer. It was during this period that the chances of success were greatest.
If even with the observance of all the conditions, the awakening of the kidney could not be achieved, you can use cytokinin pastewhich can be purchased at any flower shop. This is a hormonal agent that stimulates the growth and division of new cells.
Recommendations and contraindications
Cytokinin paste is an effective stimulant that can awaken dormant buds, activate growth and normalize metabolism, and also helps to restore the normal life of the plant after stress experienced.
However, before using it, you should carefully read the instructions for use and be sure to consider possible contraindications.
Recommendations for use:
- warm pasta to room temperature;
- choose several healthy buds on the peduncle (not more than 3!);
- using a scalpel or forceps, separate the upper semi-circular flake;
- process opened space with water, and then apply cytokinin paste in an even layer.
The main contraindications:
- the orchid was recently transplanted and adaptation to the new ground has not yet been completed;
- flowering period;
- the plant has been subjected to hypothermia, weakened or damaged by harmful organisms;
- too young, underdeveloped plant.
If all necessary recommendations are followed, the result will not take long, the first changes will be noticeable in a week.
We offer to watch a video about cytokinin paste and its use for the awakening of the kidney:
Step-by-Step Breeding Instructions
Let us consider in more detail how an orchid can be propagated through a flower stalk at home.
Choosing the right flowering shoots
It is up to the choice of the right flower stalk that how successful the breeding process will be. Firstly it is important that the orchid be healthy, strong and fully formed.
The length of the peduncle does not matter much, as long as the lower dormant buds are present.
Pruning
- The cut is made with a sharp knife or pruner at a distance of about 3 cm from the stem.
- Place the cut on an adult plant must be treated with crushed activated charcoal or antiseptic.
- The lower buds should be treated with cytokinin paste, as described above.
- In the future, the procedure will need to be repeated once a week.
Landing in a container with water
- The prepared stalk should be placed in a transparent container with water at room temperature, for example, in a plastic bottle with a cropped neck or a glass jar.
- Water should cover the cutting approximately 5 cm.
- At the bottom of the tank it is necessary to place a tablet of activated carbon, if desired, you can add mineral fertilizer in 1/4 of the recommended concentration.
The water in the tank must be completely replaced every week.
- The germinated shoot requires high temperature (not below +25 degrees) and humidity.
- To maintain optimal conditions, it is necessary to create a greenhouse (for example, using a plastic bag) and place it in a warm, well-lit place.
We offer to watch a video about creating a greenhouse with water for babies orchids:
When do you need to pull the baby off the arrow?
When 2-3 leaves grow from an awakened kidney and several air roots are at least 3 cm long, the baby is ready for transplanting into a separate pot.
- A sharp movement with a sharp blade or pruning shears must be separated from the peduncle, leaving about 1 cm at the edges.
- Slices need to be processed and let them dry for 2 hours before planting in the ground.
We offer to watch a video about the separation of the children of the orchid from the peduncle:
Move to the pot
For planting babes orchids need a small plastic pot with a diameter of about 10 cm.
Drainage holes in the pot should be located not only at the bottom, but also on the sides, this ensures that moisture will not accumulate in the substrate, and the rooting process will be successful.
Procedure for landing:
- A drainage layer approximately 3 cm thick is placed on the bottom of the pot. It may consist of large and medium-sized bark fractions.
- Drainage slightly sprinkled with substrate.
- A plant is placed in the center, then gently sprinkled in a circle with soil until the pot is completely filled.
- You must ensure that all voids are securely filled with soil.
The young plant must be planted in a wet substrate.. The next watering is carried out in approximately two days, then - as the substrate dries. In order for rooting to be successful, a pot with a small orchid must be placed in a greenhouse, which is installed in a warm, well-lit place.
We offer to watch a video about planting orchid babies in the substrate:
Further care
After a few new leaves appear on a young plant, the greenhouse can be removed. This means that the plant successfully rooted and became independent. The rules for caring for him do not differ from the rules for caring for an adult plant:
- preferred temperature + 18-24 degrees;
- air humidity 60-80%;
- the duration of the day should not be less than 10 hours, if necessary, natural lighting is complemented by artificial;
- watering is carried out by immersion as the substrate dries out 2-3 times a week, in winter the intensity decreases to 2-3 times a month;
The process of reproduction orchids using peduncle presents no particular difficulties.it is enough to carry it out for the first time, following all the rules and instructions, and in the future it will no longer cause concern, and a whole flower garden will soon appear on the site of a tropical pet.
