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How to propagate an orchid from a leaf?

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    Colorful, varied, and easy to grow, orchids are popular flowering plants. They bring a tropical touch to our interiors and liven them up with their vibrant colors. Did you know that you can propagate your plant from a leaf? We tell you more in this article.Do you like orchids and want to have plenty of them? Here is a method to multiply your plant from one leaf. This is called leaf cutting. If you’ve never heard of this plant reproduction technique, we encourage you to read on!

    Can you cut an orchid leaf?
    orchid leaf
    To propagate your plants, you can use leaf cuttings. This technique generally consists of taking a leaf from the mother plant and planting it in order to obtain a plant identical to the initial plant… Therefore, the plant fragments that are taken to multiply a plant are what are called cuttings. . However, this method of propagation is not suitable for all plants. It works for some species like succulents, but for orchids, it’s different… It consists of taking a piece of stem attached to the leaf; It is the only part of the plant that contains cells to promote regrowth.

    How to cut an orchid from a leaf?
    Before embarking on cuttings from your orchid, know that the multiplication of this plant, from one leaf, is a long and complex process. Roots can take up to a year or more to grow! To propagate your orchid, follow these steps.

    Take a healthy, adult orchid and take a leaf with a small piece of stem. Use scissors or a sterilized, sharp pruner;
    Allow the cut to air dry for 8 hours;
    Take a rooting product and apply a small amount to the cutting;
    Dilute the activated charcoal in a container of water. Activated charcoal is an effective antibacterial to promote the development of good bacteria that are useful for your plant’s root system. Antifungal, it also helps fight cryptogamic and fungal diseases;
    Dip the leaf and stem piece into the solution;
    You will then only need to plant your cutting in the ground. Before proceeding with this step, first check that the soil does not contain traces of mold or rotten parts of plants.

    The rooting agent, a product for the successful multiplication of orchids
    The use of a rooting product or agent is not arbitrary. This is what makes your cuttings successful. Let us explain.

    The rooting product is a stimulator that helps cuttings develop better and form a strong and healthy root system. If you don’t like chemicals, you can very well prepare your own natural and eco-friendly rooting agent.

    That’s why we suggest using lentils. These legumes facilitate root growth because they contain plant hormones such as auxin. This is what ensures healthy plant growth. To create your own rooting product, follow these steps offered by Henri Morgan, agronomist and science writer at TheGardenStyle.com, a site specializing in gardening and agriculture.

    Soak 100 grams of lentils in a liter of water;
    Cover the container and set it aside for a few hours;
    Stir the mixture, then collect the steeping water in another container and store it in the refrigerator;
    Cover the lentils with a tea towel and store them in a dark place overnight;
    The next day, soak the lentils again in the water you have kept aside for a few minutes;
    Strain the water again, set aside, and cover the lentils to continue sprouting. The purpose of this operation is to moisten the lenses on a daily basis;
    Repeat this action every day until the lentils finally sprout;
    When the lentils have sprouted, put them in a blender and add the water you have stored in the refrigerator;
    Mix until you get a paste, then strain the pasta through a sieve to recover the liquid;
    Transfer the liquid to a bottle and add 10 cups of water to dilute the concentrate;
    All you need to do is soak your cuttings in this mixture before planting them. Note that this solution can be stored for up to 15 days in the refrigerator.
    Keiki or suckers to multiply phalaenopsis orchids and get new shoots
    Some varieties of orchids such as phalaenopsis and dendrobium develop keikis. It’s a Hawaiian word that means “child.” These suckers develop on wilted flower stems. Concretely, keiki are small bunches of leaves that form on the stem, and under which aerial roots develop. Keiki is therefore similar to a tiny specimen of the mother plant, growing on its stems or base. If your plant has started to develop keikis, here’s what you can do, according to indoor plant site House Plant:

    Leave the keiki alone until a few more leaves and a healthy root system grows;
    When your keiki is ready, separate it from the mother plant using a clean knife or shears;
    You will only need to plant your keiki in a pot, using the same substrate you chose for the mother plant;
    Because your growing baby already has a root system, the keiki will continue to grow normally. Simply water the pot and place it near a heat source.

    Why put baking soda on orchids?
    The benefits of baking soda are no longer a secret! This multi-purpose product is used to maintain the house, but also to get beautiful vegetation. In fact, baking soda is a natural fertilizer that will do your orchids the most good. All you need to do is dilute a tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of room temperature water. Use this solution to water the base of your plant and admire the results! This natural fertilizer will stimulate the flowering of your plant to achieve beautiful colorful flowers.

    Be careful, avoid putting baking soda directly on the orchids or substrate. It can attack your plant, due to the salt it contains.

    Extra tip: As you can imagine, baking soda isn’t the only natural fertilizer to use for your orchids. You can also use:

    coffee grounds;
    banana peels;
    eggshells
    cooking water of foods that contain starch such as potatoes or pasta.
    By taking cuttings from your orchid, you can multiply your plant to have it in abundance… That way you won’t run out of orchid ideas!

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