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If you want to expand your orchid collection on your own, you can easily do this yourself, for example by growing children (seedlings). All you need is detailed instructions, which the plant expert offers you free of charge.
propagation
Propagating orchids with offshoots: this is how Kindel succeeds in growing
There are various methods to choose from for propagating your orchids. One with the highest success rate is raising a child. One of the advantages of this vegetative propagation method is that the young plants take on all the characteristics of the mother plant in the same way. The important thing here is that you do it correctly. How you succeed in propagating with Kindel and what you have to consider is explained in detail here.
child description
A kindle is a small new growth that develops where flowers should grow. As a rule, this point is located on the so-called bulbs. In the case of the Phalaenopsis, it is the flower stalk. They are comparable to a new shoot, but are called seedlings (Kindel) and not cuttings in relation to propagation. The procedure for propagation differs significantly in some points, so that propagation by Kindel is not the same as one by cuttings. Kindel are also referred to as "Keiki" and "offshoots" and will not differ later in color, shape and size from the mother plant.
Kindelarten
There are different types of children. These are divided into stem and stem children. From the name you can already see that in one species the children grow on the trunk and in the other species on the stalk. Both types are usually only possible with a few specimens, such as with the Phalaenopsis orchids. In most other orchid plants, children only develop on the flower stalks. They usually form on the trunk below the first orchid leaves. Both species are suitable for reproduction, although this is more difficult with stem children.
orchid varieties
Kindel do not always grow and not on every orchid variety, which is why you should seize your chance of propagation with keikis as soon as a specimen shows up. Some varieties/species and orchid genera tend to grow children more than others. For example, the Epidendrum, Dendrobium or Calanthe are ideal. Especially the Phalaenopsis pulchra or Phalaenopsis bastianii are keen on having children and can be expected to have children more often, while with other varieties/species/genera it can sometimes even take up to three years for an offshoot to grow.
Above all, the state of health of the orchid family has an influence. If they are weakened and/or not given optimal care, Keikis can take a lifetime to appear, even with the most fertile plants, or they do not develop strong enough to be suitable for propagation.
time of propagation
Children mainly only develop during the growth phase after and weeks before the start of the dormant phase in the flowering-free period. The best propagation time is spring.
Kindel should only be separated from the mother plant when they themselves already have two to three well-developed leaves and reasonably strong roots. An exception is only given if the children have developed on flower stalks and they threaten to wither. Although there is still a supply from the mother plant as long as the stem is green, the supply decreases with increasing wilting, which is why the offshoots should be separated in good time, even if they are not yet strong enough. The chances of a successful propagation are quite good if you do it professionally, as described here.
offshoot separation
flower stalk
If children are to be separated on stems, these are removed with the flower stalk. To do this, cut off the stalk just below the offshoot, so that there is still about one to two centimeters of the flower stalk on it.
progeny
Stammkindel are usually less suitable for propagation. In most cases, these grow directly attached to the trunk, so you would have to make a cut there to separate them. This exposes the orchid to a particular risk, because interfaces on the stem offer ideal conditions for a fungal infection.
If you still want to use a stem child for propagation, you should only limit yourself to those that are very deep and loose. Usually you can just move them back and forth with your fingers so that they detach themselves from the mother plant. In many cases it is advisable to plant the orchid out of the culture pot. Entangled roots should be carefully pulled apart by hand.
TIP: If the bud is not easy to separate completely, but part is already detached from the mother plant, stop the process instead of using force and force to remove the bud. This will grow back and with a bit of luck, a new flowering branch will develop from it.
cutting tool
Especially with orchid plants, it is important that a thoroughly cleaned cutting tool is used when cutting off stalks. The sensitive plant is very susceptible to bacteria and viruses, which are often transmitted via dirty knives and heavyweights. Disinfection is highly recommended before use. You have several options to choose from.
burn down
Hold the blades or shears over a gas burner. A conventional Bunsen burner, such as those used for camping or in laboratories, is suitable for this. Make sure that flammable and heat-sensitive parts of the device do not get into the flame. The blades should be held deep in the flame for two to four seconds. The highest temperatures, which reliably kill bacteria and viruses, prevail in the lowest flame area.
alcohol
Before use, immerse the cutting tool in 70 to 80 percent denatured alcohol. Isopropanol, which you can buy cheaply in any pharmacy, is ideal. But do not use conventional spirits for consumption, these do not serve the purpose. Alternatively, you can also place devices in high-percentage spirit. However, this has the disadvantage that it allows unpleasant odors to rise. After the immersion bath, wash the devices thoroughly with clean water.
planting
In order to produce the same supply for children as they are used to and need from their mother plant, they must be planted in soil quickly.
- use special potting soil for orchids and fill loosely in a transparent plastic culture pot
- Use your finger to make a small depression in the ground - about two to four centimeters depending on the size of the child
- fill the hollow around the Kindel with soil and press down lightly
- Use wooden sticks to stabilize
- water lightly
- stretch clear film over the pot to create a moisture space
- Open the foil every three days to air it out, pour it in lightly or spray it with Kindel
- as soon as new leaves have formed, remove the foil and care for the orchid like a young plant
- repot into normal orchid substrate after about three to four weeks
- Location: Bright with no direct sunlight
- recommended temperature: between 23 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius
rooting
If you have rescued an offshoot that does not yet appear strong enough without roots on a withered stem, you must achieve root growth before planting in potting soil.
It works with the following procedure:
- fill the translucent glass with water
- Put the keiki in the water
- place in a bright location where there is no direct sunlight
- Ambient temperature around 25 degrees Celsius
- change the water every two days
- only use lime-free water at room temperature
- Never move the seedling
- first roots should be visible after about five days
- when the roots are stronger and a first leaf appears, proceed as described under "Planting".
young plant care
location
The location plays an important role in the thriving of young plants grown from Kindeln.
It should meet the following conditions:
- bright but not full sun
- Temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius
- high humidity - with low humidity, regularly spray the plant
- Avoid drafts
- move plants only if absolutely necessary
Water
With young plants, it is advisable not to provide moisture through pots specially developed for orchids, although the pots are suitable for sufficient light for the aerial roots.
The water requirement should be satisfied individually in the first year of life, because this can change quickly depending on the growth rate, so that suddenly more or more watering has to be done. Optimally check the water requirement based on the weight and flexibility of the culture pot. Heavy pot hot: there is still water - light pot means: water is needed. If the side walls of the pot can be slightly pressed together in the middle, the soil still has moisture. If the side walls were rigid, the earth would already be hard and there would be no moisture.
For watering, it is advisable to proceed as follows to give the young plant the water it needs.
- regularly immerse the pot in a water bath
- Use lime-free water - for example stale water or from a rain barrel
- leave in the immersion bath for a few minutes
- allow excess water to drain well
- Place the pot on a saucer to catch any remaining water and prevent waterlogging
- Place the pot on a dry surface or in a planter
Fertilize
Once new leaves have formed, orchids' nutrient requirements increase. If the new young plant has been repotted from the potting soil in normal orchid substrate, there will be sufficient nutrients and minerals in the first four weeks. Only from about the fifth week, when new leaves have formed again, can fertilizer be started. To do this, only use highly diluted orchid fertilizer every two to three weeks in the first year of life. From the second year of life, the plant can be fertilized like an adult.
First bloom
If you grow your new Orchidaceae from a child, in most cases the first flowering will take between two and three years. Don't use flowering fertilizers to encourage flowering, because apart from a possible oversupply with the fertilizer, you will not achieve earlier flowering. On the contrary, because orchids are very sensitive to too much and unnecessary fertilizer. So be patient, because the first flowering will definitely come if you have followed the propagation instructions and provided optimal rearing care.