A lovingly cared for dendrobium has enough vitality to produce daughter plants on its own. These offshoots have all the wonderful properties of their mother plant. All it takes is a little patience and gardening attention to grow a new orchid. This is how it works.
How do I propagate Dendrobium orchids through cuttings?
To propagate Dendrobium cuttings, leave the discovered cutting on the mother plant until it has at least 2 leaves and several aerial roots. Cut the offshoot, plant it in a nursery pot with coconut fiber and expanded clay and ensure high humidity using a transparent hood or plastic bag. Ventilate daily and water regularly.
How do I recognize a Dendrobium offshoot?
On older, dead bulbs, small aerial roots and leaves sometimes sprout in the upper part. With this special strategy, the Dendrobium ensures its continued existence because these are daughter plants in the early growth stage. Therefore, do not cut off yellowing bulbs too quickly so as not to deprive yourself of the chance of having a baby.
Cutting and caring for offshoots – How to do it right
If you have discovered an offshoot on your Dendrobium, do not separate it from the mother plant at first. Continue the care program undiminished and spray the child regularly with soft, room temperature water. Only cut off the offshoot when it has at least 2 leaves of its own and several aerial roots. Proceed as follows:
- Cut off the offshoot a piece below its aerial roots
- Fill a transparent growing pot (€10.00 on Amazon) with a mix of coconut fibers and expanded clay
- Place the child including the remaining bulb piece in the substrate
- Pour in soft water and spray
Since the few aerial roots are not sufficient to supply the daughter plant, high humidity is important for further growth. Place the growing pot in an indoor greenhouse or under a transparent hood. Likewise, an airtight plastic bag creates the required warm, humid microclimate. Ventilate the cover daily to prevent mold from forming.
If the offshoot sprouts diligently after a few weeks, the hood has done its job. Water regularly in a partially shaded, warm window seat. Spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves with lime-free water every 2 days. Once the young dendrobium has completely rooted its pot, transplant it into normal pine bark substrate and start supplying nutrients.
Tip
Dendrobium species with numerous bulbs, such as the bamboo orchid (Dendrobium Berry), can be easily propagated by division. When repotting the royal flower, this is the best opportunity. Pull the root network apart with both hands and you will hold two Dendrobium orchids in your hands.
