How To Take Orchid Cuttings

Taking orchid cuttings is a fantastic way to multiply your collection, and you can absolutely do it successfully from a healthy parent plant.

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While orchids aren’t like typical houseplants where you can just snip a leaf and stick it in soil, taking orchid cuttings from the right parts of the plant will give you brand new orchids in no time.

The secret is knowing which type of orchid you have, because the method for taking orchid cuttings differs between monopodial and sympodial varieties.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of how to take orchid cuttings, what tools you need, and how to care for your new cuttings so they root and thrive.

Let’s dig into the wonderful world of propagating orchids from cuttings.

How To Take Orchid Cuttings: The Basics

The first thing to understand when learning how to take orchid cuttings is that not all orchids can be propagated this way.
 
However, for the ones that can, like Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium, taking orchid cuttings is a straightforward process that any home gardener can master.
 
The key is to use a sterile cutting tool and to make your cuts at the right spot on the stem or cane.
 
When you take orchid cuttings, you are essentially encouraging the plant to produce a new growth from a dormant bud, known as a node.
 
Let’s break down the two main types of orchid cuttings you can take.
 

1. Stem Cuttings for Monopodial Orchids

If you’re wondering how to take orchid cuttings from a Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, you’ll be dealing with a single, upright stem.
 
To take orchid cuttings from this type, you’ll need to locate the nodes along the flower spike.
 
Once the flowers have faded, cut the spike about an inch above a node, and that node can often produce a new baby plant, called a keiki.
 
For a more reliable method of taking orchid cuttings from a monopodial orchid, you can cut the flower spike into several segments, each containing a node.
 
Place these segments in a damp sphagnum moss, and with patience, they’ll develop into new plantlets.
 
Remember, when you take orchid cuttings this way, you are not taking the leaves or roots, just the stem material.
 

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2. Cane Cuttings for Sympodial Orchids

For sympodial orchids like Dendrobiums, learning how to take orchid cuttings involves using the thick, cane-like pseudobulbs.
 
You’ll want to take orchid cuttings from mature, healthy canes that have finished blooming for the season.
 
Using a sterilized knife, cut the cane into sections that are about 8 to 12 inches long, ensuring each piece has at least one or two nodes.
 
When you take orchid cuttings from a Dendrobium, lay the cane sections horizontally on a bed of moist sphagnum moss.
 
Keep the medium evenly damp, and soon you’ll see new shoots emerging from the nodes, which is proof that your orchid cuttings are working.
 

Step-By-Step Guide To Taking Orchid Cuttings

Now that you know the type of cutting to take, let’s get into the exact steps you need to follow to take orchid cuttings successfully.
 
Having a clear process is crucial so you don’t introduce disease or rot to your precious parent plant or the new cuttings.
 
Here is the foolproof method for how to take orchid cuttings.
 

1. Gather Your Sterile Tools and Supplies

Before you even think about taking orchid cuttings, you must sterilize your cutting tools.
 
Use a sharp pair of pruning shears or a sterile razor blade to make clean cuts, as jagged cuts are prone to infection.
 
Wipe the blades down with rubbing alcohol or a dilute bleach solution to kill any pathogens.
 
You’ll also need fresh sphagnum moss, a clean pot or tray, some rooting hormone (optional), and a clear plastic bag to create a humidity dome.
 
Having everything ready before you take orchid cuttings will make the whole procedure smooth.
 

2. Make The Cut

Identify a healthy stem or cane that is at least a few inches long.
 
When you take orchid cuttings from a flower spike, cut just below a node on the lower portion of the spike.
 
For cane cuttings, you will slice the whole cane into sections as described above.
 
The most important rule is to make a single, swift cut to avoid crushing the plant tissue.
 
After you take orchid cuttings, dust the cut ends with a fungicide powder or cinnamon to prevent fungal rot.
 

3. Prepare the Medium and Pot

The medium you use for rooting your orchid cuttings is just as important as the cutting itself.
 
Orchids need high humidity and good air circulation, so damp sphagnum moss is the gold standard for rooting cuttings.
 
Soak the sphagnum moss in water, then squeeze out the excess so it’s damp, not dripping wet.
 
Place the moss in a small pot or tray, and then insert your cuttings into it.
 
If you’re taking orchid cuttings from a flower spike, you can lay the entire spike on the moss.
 

4. Provide the Right Environment

Once you’ve placed your orchid cuttings in the moss, they need a warm, humid environment to root.
 
Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a mini-greenhouse to trap moisture around the cuttings.
 
Place the setup in a spot that receives bright, indirect light, as direct sun will cook the cuttings.
 
Maintain a consistent temperature around 70-80°F (21-27°C) during the day.
 
You’ll know your orchid cuttings are rooting when you see new green growth emerging from the nodes, which usually takes a few weeks to a few months.
 

Caring For Your New Orchid Cuttings

Taking orchid cuttings is only half the battle; giving them the right aftercare will determine if they survive.
 
The new plantlets that form from your cuttings are fragile and need consistent moisture and gentle care.
 
Let’s look at the essential care steps to get your cuttings established.
 

1. Keep the Medium Moist but Not Soggy

Your primary job after you take orchid cuttings is to keep the sphagnum moss from drying out completely.
 
Check the moss every few days and mist it lightly if it feels dry to the touch.
 
However, avoid overwatering, as orchid cuttings that are sitting in water will definitely rot before they root.
 
The goal is even, gentle moisture that encourages the node to sprout.
 

2. Be Patient and Wait for Roots

Propagation from orchid cuttings requires a lot of patience, as orchids are slow growers.
 
It might take a month or two for small leaves to appear and an additional month or two for viable roots to form.
 
While you’re waiting, resist the urge to tug on the cuttings to check for roots, as this can disturb the delicate process.
 
Just keep the conditions stable, and your orchid cuttings will reward you with new growth.
 

3. Potting Up the New Plants

Once your new plantlets from the orchid cuttings have developed at least two or three roots that are a few inches long, they are ready for potting.
 
Gently remove them from the moss and plant each one in its own small pot with fresh orchid bark mix.
 
Keep the new plants in a humid environment for the first couple of weeks to help them acclimate after you took the orchid cuttings.
 
Then, you can treat them just like a mature orchid, providing them with their regular light and watering schedule.
 

So, How Do You Take Orchid Cuttings?

You can take orchid cuttings from the flower spike or cane, and it’s a viable method to grow new orchids.

Successfully taking orchid cuttings requires sterile tools, a humid growing medium, and a lot of patience, but the results are incredibly rewarding.

And this Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster Fertilizer on Amazon can be a practical addition for you, so click the link to check it out.

Whether you take orchid cuttings from a monopodial stem or a sympodial cane, the key is to mimic the humid jungle conditions they love.

So, grab your shears, sterilize them, and give propagation a try, because taking orchid cuttings is an affordable and fun way to expand your orchid family.