Greetings, curious cultivator. I am an orchid, a being of elegant resilience, and I wish to share the secrets of my propagation. When the conditions are just right—sometimes spurred by a shift in light or a moment of stress—I may choose to create a copy of myself, a young plantlet known as a keiki. This is my way of ensuring my legacy continues. Here is how you can assist me in this journey, from my perspective.
Do not be too hasty. I will let you know when my keiki is ready for independence. Look for it along my flower spike. It is mature enough when it has developed several healthy roots of its own, typically at least two to three roots that are two to three inches long. These roots are silver-green when dry and vibrant green when hydrated, with green or reddish tips indicating active growth. The keiki should also have two or three of its own leaves. This signifies it has the necessary apparatus to photosynthesize and absorb water on its own, separate from my support system.
This step requires a steady, clean hand. You will need a sterile cutting tool, such as a razor blade or pruning shears dipped in rubbing alcohol. This is to protect both me and my offspring from infection. Carefully cut the flower spike, leaving about an inch or two on either side of the keiki's attachment point. Do not pull or twist the keiki off, as this could severely damage both of us. This clean, precise cut is a minor wound that we will both quickly recover from. Think of it as gently untethering a young sapling from its parent tree.
My roots are not like those of other plants; they are aerial and require breathability. My keiki shares this need. Please prepare a very small pot—often a 2 or 3-inch pot is ideal—with a fresh, loose, and fast-draining medium. Fine-grade orchid bark mixed with a little sphagnum moss is perfect. It provides stability, some moisture retention, and, most crucially, ample air circulation around the tender new roots. A medium that is too dense or stays too wet will suffocate my keiki and cause its roots to rot before it even has a chance to establish itself.
Gently place my keiki into its new pot, carefully spreading its young roots over the small mound of medium. Hold it in place so its base is just at the top of the medium, and then carefully fill in around the roots. You may need a stake and a soft tie to support it initially. Do not bury the leaves or the crown. Now, the most critical period begins. Place us in a warm location with bright, indirect light—direct sun will scorch its delicate leaves. Water it sparingly at first, only misting the medium and the roots lightly until you see new root growth pushing into the pot, which signals it has truly begun to establish itself. This is the moment my legacy takes root on its own.
