| I was wondering if you can propagate an orchid by taking a root and planting it. Is this possible? |
| If you're thinking of cutting off one of the aerial roots and trying to root it, I don't think you'll be successful. There are a few methods of propagating orchids, but the most common are division and using back bulbs. When the orchid plant has out-grown its container, carefully remove the plant from the orchid pot (watering the potting mix before hand will help) and wash off the old potting mix. Remove any damaged, or dead roots and then use a clean pair of cutters to cut through the rhizome. Ideally you should be able to make two or three divisions, but that depends on the size of the plant. Each division ought to have three or four pseudobulbs. Once the divisions have been made, you need to repot the new plants as soon as possible. Add fresh potting mix into a container and place the new orchid plant into the pot, packing the potting mix firmly around the plant. Back bulbs are simply pseudobulbs that have not flowered, or have previously flowered. These can be separated when you are dividing the plant during orchid propagation. You can also collect seeds from your orchid and plant them in moist potting soil. Good luck with your project! |
