Orchids are undoubtedly among the most beautiful and beloved flowers. If you thought their annual blooms were the best you could hope for, you probably haven’t tried propagating them and watching the smallest specimens grow .
There are various methods of orchid propagation and almost all of them, if done correctly, allow us to reproduce our favorite plants almost continuously.
Orchids can be propagated by taking cuttings from the mother plant or keiki . We’ll explain how below.
Propagating orchids using keiki
A keiki is a seedling that grows on an orchid stem, offering an excellent propagation opportunity. The new plant is an exact replica of the parent plant, produced through asexual reproduction (without the use of pollinators). Keikis develop naturally, but you can also help the plant develop them, as we’ll explain below.
How to get keiki from orchids
Once the orchid has finished blooming, cut off the flower stalk just above the plant’s collar. Carefully, gently tear off the “node” portion. This exposes it to air, which can lead to the formation of a keiki.
How to plant keiki
Once the keiki’s roots reach 4-5 centimeters in length, they can be transplanted. Plant the keiki in the same pot as the mother plant so that both plants have the same growing conditions and moisture.
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