How to grow new orchids at home without the garden centre

The cultivation of orchids may seem difficult and complicated. Many people also struggle with propagating them. However, there is a simple way to enjoy new orchids without having to visit a garden centre. You can grow them yourself.

Usually, orchids bought in flower shops are propagated through cloning, which is impossible to perform at home. Therefore, it is worth considering another method—avoiding time-consuming sowing and instead using faster techniques.

Growing plants from a leaf is popular, especially with succulents, but it also works well with orchids. The most important thing is to precisely cut off a part of the plant, ensuring the new orchid's healthy growth. All tools used in this process must be sterile so that the young plants are not exposed to infections.

To propagate an orchid, you need a scalpel available in pharmacies and medical shops. You can buy it for about $7 CAD (and a disposable one even for $2 CAD). Additionally, it is worth having fertilizer and activated charcoal at hand to support root development.

The key step is to detach the leaf from the stem using a scalpel so the fragment contains a piece of the trunk. The leaf alone will not produce roots without a growth point. The cut fragment of the stem should dry overnight, forming a film that should be soaked in root-supporting fertilizer in the morning.

Then, prepare a solution of activated charcoal by dissolving one tablet in half a glass of water. Immerse the leaf in it. When new roots appear, transplant the orchid into a pot. Water the freshly transplanted plant only after three days to avoid overwatering.