Orchid Stem Propagation

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The following information will assist you in propagating exact replica of phalaenopsis orchids. There are two methods: The first method uses Stem Propagation (Keiki) Ointment and the second method uses Stem Propagation media.

  1. Select phalaenopsis stems to be propagated. Best stems are those which have opened their first flowers recently. Some stems which have been used for seed work can yield satisfactory results most of the time. It is not recommended to use premature (young tissue) stems since the procedure for sterilization will remove a lot of tissue. Stems should also not be too old. The best advise will be to choose those that have their first flower open or those who still have about one last flower to finish blooming.
  2. Prepare a solution of clorox 30-50% V/V so that you can clean the entire stem. Do this for about 5-10 minutes. Use a soft toothbrush to scrape off the entire stem.
  3. Section the stems as follows: First cut diagonally above the node (1/4 inch), and an angled cut below the node (1/2 inch). Remove the thin membrane covering which covers the lateral node from each section. Place the lot of them into a sterile culture tube (about 25mm x 125mm). Place each cut stem into a culture tube. Make up a solution of clorox (30-50% V/V) and pour enough solution into each culture tube to completely cover all stem sections. Start a timer for at least 20 minutes, or more. Shake the culture tubes vigorously for about a minute each to ensure good coverage. You may add a surfactant to the clorox solution if you wish to help lower surface tension.

The next part will show you the steps to finish processing the stems with Stem Propagation Keiki Ointment.

  1. Prepare a number of sterile culture tubes with a depth of 1 inch with any of our seed sowing medias, sterile and ready to use in advance. We recommend 1 culture tube per node section to prevent cross contamination. Also prepare a small amount of the stem (keiki) ointment in a culture tube and sterilize it prior to procedure.
  2. With a forceps or heavy duty tweezers,(sterilized), pick out each section individually, and apply a small amount of the ointment across the node and place section into individual culture tubes with the prepared seed sowing media to a depth equal to the height of the lateral node. Heap a little media up to the node, or be sure the node contacts the media.
  3. Close each culture tube, label, and process all stems the same. You should see swelling in a week or so, and plant production. The nodes will produce a rosette of little phalaenopsis leaf heads in time.
  4. Once this plantlets are about 1/4 inch in size, you will cut them off at the base with a scalpel, and plant into our replate flask media to finish growth and put the roots on. Most plants are ready to go out into the greenhouse in about 6-12 months. Treat them as if they were seedlings, and keep moist and in reduced light until established, then treat normally.

If you choose to use the Phalaenopsis Stem Propagation Media, you will need to do the following:

  1. Prepare your tissue tubes ahead of time allowing sufficient time for the media to cool.
  2. You may obtain and follow instructions as to how to prepare the phalaenopsis stem propagation media. Since this media already contains all hormone and nutrients no additional work is necessary. Plant your stems as you would by using the Stem Propagation Keiki Ointment. The growth reaction will yield rosettes as with the above procedure. When ready to plate out, cut them off at their base and plant in replate media. We recommend Replate media V, with the charcoal. Replate media IV will work just the same way.

One important tip to remmember, when ever doing stem propagation. be on the watch for phenol around the base of the cut sections. If this forms, you must transplant into fresh media to prevent toxic buildup. If you delay removing them from this phenol material, the plants will quickly turn yellow and die. Replate into fresh media as often as necessary.