Home > Projects >

How to: New orchids from old

You will need: Secateurs, pot, orchid compost, plastic bag, rubber band.

Moth orchids (Phaelenopsis) vary slightly in their flowering habit. Some produce another batch of flower buds at the tip of the current flowering stem, while others produce side shoots from lower down the stem, especially if you cut the stem back. Occasionally, instead of flower buds, a miniature plant is produced, known as a Keiki (Hawaiian for baby).

Best time to do it:

Step 1

If your plant does not produce more buds at the tip of the flowering shoot, trim it back to just above the top stem bud.

Step 2

Instead of a flowering shoot, you may get a new plant forming, known as a Keiki.

Step 3

Once this has grown roots, it can be removed from the parent plant. Take a short section of stem with it, as this helps anchor it into a pot of compost.

Step 4

Pot it into moist orchid compost and cover with a plastic bag, held in place with a rubber band to keep it humid while it establishes. Within a few weeks, it should begin to grow and can be treated the same as other orchids.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

Autumn Estate Tractor and Trailer Tours launched at Blenheim Palace

Give the Gift of Nourishment to Garden Birds This Christmas With Peckish and Gardman

Essential Gardening Jobs for Late Summer

Essential Gardening Jobs for Mid Summer

Gardening Projects for October

---

How to turf a lawn

How to protect bulbs in the garden

How to: Maintenance Pruning

How to clean your pots

Latest Gardening Videos

---

Growing Geraniums

Why are my pansies and violas wilting?

Digging Up Sweet Potatoes

How can I get rid of a red ant nest in my lawn?

Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley

How to Take Care of Spring Flowering Bulbs

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Gardens of Versailles
Versailles, France

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Tokyo, Japan

Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan

Villa d'Este Gardens
Tivoli, Italy

RHS Harlow Carr
Harrogate, United Kingdom