Orchid pushes new leaves

An unorthodox propagation strategy

With their epiphytic growth, phalaenopsis, epidendrum or fall Dendrobium out of the frame. In your homeland the flowers sit on the branches of giants in the jungle, where they cling to their roots. Since there is only little space here to produce offshoots and Kindel as offspring, the clever orchids have developed this ingenious strategy:

• At an advanced age, new leaves sprout on the stem or stem
• In the course of the next few months, air roots will also form below the leaves

The new leaves are therefore daughter plants - also known as Kindel or Keiki.

Tips for caring for Kindel on the flower stalk

In the first few months an orchid child is not viable without the connection to the mother plant. As more new leaves and aerial roots form, spray the Offshoot regularly one. If necessary, support the flower stem with a stick so that the extra weight doesn't break it off.

Only when an offshoot has at least 2 leaves and 2-3 aerial roots can it be separated from the mother. To do this, cut off the child with a clean knife. Fill a transparent culture pot with fine-grained Orchid substrate(€ 7.98 at Amazon *) for young plants over a drainage Expanded clay.(€ 16.35 at Amazon *) You plant the daughter plant in it and water it.

High humidity activates growth

In view of the small leaf volume and the sparse aerial roots, the offshoot is dependent on high humidity in the first few months. You should therefore place the seed pot in Mini greenhouse.(€ 25.14 at Amazon *) Alternatively, you can put a perforated plastic bag over the container, which is ventilated several times a day.