Cut the keiki about 3-5 cm from the flower stalk and plant it in the same pot. The roots should be pointing downwards and lightly covered with soil. The cut section of the flower stalk should also be buried in the soil. You can bend it into the ground like an anchor.
Once grown, the keiki can be separated from the mother plant, taking particular care.
How to Propagate Orchids Using Cuttings
To cut the plant’s stem and take cuttings, we need a waterproof tray about 8 centimeters deep. Fill it with well-moistened sand or sphagnum moss.
- Using a sharp knife, cut a stem about 30 centimeters long from the mother plant. Divide it into 7-centimeter sections, making sure each cutting has a dormant bud.
- Place moss or sand in the container and moisten. Place the cuttings in the container, cover with plastic wrap, and store at 15°C, away from direct sunlight.
- After a few weeks, you can increase the temperature to around 24-30 degrees, remembering to spray the tray with water to keep it constantly moist, but don’t overdo it.
- Once shoots and roots have developed, cut the seedling again with a sharp knife.
- Buy several small pots to plant your new seedlings in. Ideally, plant them in a mixture of bark, volcanic soil, and well-moistened Spanish moss.
- Plant the orchid with the shoots pointing upwards.
- Newly propagated orchids with cuttings should be placed in a bright place, but not exposed to sunlight.
- Water regularly, but do not overdo it to prevent the plant from rotting.
- Keep the plant in a humid environment, away from direct heat sources.
