Orchids are a very popular hobby today, and this is not surprising given their magnificent appearance, the wide variety of shapes and colors, and their ability to beautify our homes with a touch of elegance.
However, orchids are very expensive and can be difficult to care for or even keep alive, which often leads us to buy new ones. In fact, few people know that it is possible to propagate an orchid from a single leaf , and in this article we will explain how to do it.
In reality, orchid leaves are not naturally suited to propagation: the growth points of new plants are located on the stem. Precisely for this reason, to propagate an orchid using this method, you will need to take a leaf with a small portion of the stem.
Before you start propagating an orchid from a leaf, get the necessary tools. You’ll need sharp garden shears, a plastic container, filtered water, and the following fertilizers: rooting hormone, activated carbon, cytokinin paste, and succinic acid.
This process is complex and one of the longest to set up: new roots can take 1 to 2 years to form.
The propagation leaf should come from a healthy adult plant. Use sharp scissors to remove the leaf and stem. Once this is done, you will need to activate the dormant stock by letting the leaf dry for about 8 hours.
After this time, lubricate the site where new roots will form with rooting hormone. Dissolve one activated carbon tablet in a glass of water and immerse the stem in the solution. The neck of the shoot should be completely submerged in water.
You can also use succinic acid to stimulate root growth. Dissolve one succinic acid tablet in a glass of warm water and immerse the leaf and stem in this solution, bud-side down.
Once the roots have formed, check for any rotten or moldy parts and remove them before planting the orchid in potting soil.