Phalaenopsis Orchid Propagation

Propagation of Phalaenopsis orchids: The joy of discovery

Anyone who truly loves Phalaenopsis orchids and takes the time to understand how they are propagated, will attempt to grow some new orchid plants on their own, at some time. Imagine the joy of discovery that you will experience, as you find that you can propagate your own Phalaenopsis orchids.

There are at least four different methods of propagation.

Grafting a Phalaenopsis orchid onto a tree trunk:

The secret to the propagation of a Phalaenopsis orchid lies in understanding the nature of the orchid itself, as well as how and where it grows and thrives. The Phalaenopsis orchid is an epiphyte and not a parasite. The tree that it grows on in the forest is not what the plant lives on, in terms of food or sustenance. An orchid does not eat any part of the tree in order to survive. The tree is merely its host. What it lives on is the decaying matter like leaves or the insects that are lodged in between the pieces of bark on the tree trunk. It derives its water from rain or mist in the forest.

In order to propagate the orchid using a grafting methodology, it is important to imitate the conditions that the Phalaenopsis orchid grows under in the wilderness. Here, it would growing on a tree trunk or branch, in semi-light or filtered light. The plant could be located on any part of the tree, but probably more towards the top, rather than at the base of the trunk.

First, prepare the orchid to be transplanted by removing old or dead roots. Loosen the remaining roots, so that they can breathe freely. Carefully wrap the roots in sphagnum moss and spray the moss with a mixture of water and orchid fertilizer.

When you decide where you want to place the plant on the tree trunk, you will need to make an opening in the bark. This is where you will place the plant. Using a sharp, clean knife, make a downward slice in the tree trunk. Separate the top of that slice from the tree. Leave the bottom of the slice intact. Now you have a place in which to plant the root wrapped with sphagnum moss.

Insert the roots wrapped in sphagnum moss under the wood slice. Pull the wood slice up over the root and wrap it loosely with a natural fiber to hold it in place. Tie it with natural twine, so that the Phalaenopsis orchid can attach itself to the tree trunk. Once it is attached, the fiber and the twine can be removed.

Over time, the plant will root itself to the tree trunk and find its sustenance like it normally does. Once this begins to happen, it will thrive. Remember to continue to mist and fertilize it on a regular basis in the meantime.

Nesting a Phalaenopsis orchid in a fork of a tree, where the branch joins a tree trunk:

Remember the environment in which a Phalaenopsis orchid grows, when considering this option. The forest teems with birds building nests of different kinds, in the branches of trees. This kind of Phalaenopsis propagation works on the principle of nesting.

First, find a little nook or cranny that has been created by a branch coming out of a tree trunk. This will be the new nest for the Phalaenopsis orchid. When birds build nests, they bring in bits of fibrous material, twigs, branches and grasses. They might drop pieces of gravel from their beaks. These are the roughage and materials that would be suitable for nesting a new orchid plant.

Once you have found a place for your orchid to nest, fill the bottom of the nook or cranny with a bit of gravel for drainage. Put the other roughage on top of it.

Prepare the orchid to be transplanted the same way as with the first method. Then, place it in its little nest. Tying it with natural fiber and twine, will hold it in place until it roots properly.

The advantage to using this method is that the tree trunk is not violated or exposed in any way, to other contaminants. The orchid sits in its little nest until it attaches itself to the tree. Roots will tend downwards and blossom stems will grow towards the light.

Planting a Phalaenopsis seed:

Propagation of Phalaenopsis orchid from seeds is based upon understanding the nature of the environment in which it grows, but also the Phalaenopsis orchid itself.

Orchids do have seeds. Finding those seeds is part of the joy of discovery. After you have allowed your orchid to go through all of its various stages of growth with its new roots, leaves, stems and blossoms, the flowers will fall off on their own. Take these flowers and let them dry in open air for a few months.

Then, carefully disassemble the dried flower. You will be amazed at what you find. Inside the flower, there are seed pods. Each pod contains many tiny seeds that have the potential for growing into plants.

The seeds, when planted in the right media and given the right environment with respect to temperature, lighting, humidity and fertilizer, will begin to grow rapidly. The right media would be that similar to what they would grow in normally, in the forest.

Cloning the Phalaenopsis orchid:

Cloning a Phalaenopsis orchid involves taking a small piece of the actual orchid leaf and placing it in the right environment for growth. Imagine a bird taking a bite out of a leaf, carrying and dropping it somewhere? That is how a plant is cloned. Again, conditions must be appropriate for growth in order for it to root and mature.

Propagating Phalaenopsis orchids can be a wonderful experience for anyone who loves the joy of discovery.