Platinum Author
How does stem propagation work? Many orchid growers ask this question. All procedures are complex and a beginner is better of as an audience to the expert. The task is so complex that the person doing the procedure needs to treat it like medical surgery. Orchids are sensitive plants so that all the tools and even the new pot have to be sterile, hence, it is treated like a medical procedure.
Orchids are propagated either by stem propagation or grown from seeds. Propagating different species means there are different sets of procedures to follow. Some species can be divided to grow more plants while others depend on seeding for reproduction.
Hybrid species that have been perfected were developed by stem propagation as this is the easiest and more practical method since not all orchid growers have the extensive knowledge in genetics that would enable them to build a laboratory to conduct experiments. After all, it was the hybridizers who developed this method.
Below is an example of a procedure that can be followed to propagate orchids.
But first you will need the right tools and equipment for the job.
As for the tools you will need:
1, 1 Rectangular plastic tray that is sterilized
2, 1 Bottle with a spray nozzle
3, Square flasks, this is where you will put the cuttings.
4, Sterilized Razor Blades
5, Tweezers
6, Culture tubes
7, Tube rack
8, Old and soft toothbrush
9, Cotton
10, Pressure Cooker
Now we continue with the chemicals you will need:
1, Clorox or any bleach(try to stick with household bleach as this is the safest)
2, Dish washing detergent
3, Agar-Agar
4, Stem Propagation Media
5, Distilled Water
Setup your "laboratory" in a clean sterile location. If you can afford to build a nursery complete with lighting and temperature control systems, then go for it. These are very important once the plants are in place.
Now that you have everything you need, it's time to start:
- First, prepare the medium. There should be a set of instructions that come with it. You must boil the mixture then distribute it into the cultural tubes, which should be 1.5 inches deep. Get your pressure cooker ready and cook the cultural tubes for about 15 to 20 minutes. This is to sterilize the mixture.
The next step is to prepare a 3:1 ratio solution of water and bleach and a few drops of dish soap. Add this solution to the plastic tray, and the bottle should be filled too. Mix another solution of 9:1:2 (water, bleach, dish soap) and spray it inin the square flasks.
- Sanitation is the key factor in the entire operation, all your efforts will be eaten by fungus if the whole operation is compromised because of the lack of sanitation.
- Put the flasks, tubes, synthetic cotton, and cutting tools inside the flasking case to keep them clean.
- Pick the orchid you want to propagate. Cut it using the razor blade, again it should be a sterilized blade or the whole operation will fail.
- Put the stem in the tray with bleach solution.
- Brush the stem from the bottom to the top, do it gently or you will damage the bud. Again the toothbrush should be sterilized.
- Once you're done, place the flasks in the flasking case.
- Now you can start the propagation by cutting the stem an inch above and below each bud. The cut should be made at a certain angle to get rid of the bud coverings. Put it inside a flask which should contain the bleach mixture. Leave it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Remember to shake the flask every 5 minutes. Keep them at room temperature.
-Take the stem out of the flask after 15 to 20 minutes, cut off an eighth of an inch at the ends,then place the stems inside the culture tubes. Change the stopper and position the tubes on a growing rack.
- Label the tubes to avoid confusion.
- Assuming the whole procedure went well, you should see growth after some time.
- Once the leaves are a third of an inch to half an inch long, take them out of their tubes and plant them in their respective pots.
About this Author
Charles Perkins is an orchid expert. For more information on orchids propagation [http://www.orchidgrowingsolutions.com/orchid-propagation/], visit [http://www.orchidgrowingsolutions.com/].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Perkins
