From our point of view as orchids, propagation is not about human desires for more plants; it is a fundamental strategy for survival and territorial expansion. In our native epiphytic habitats, high in the canopy where conditions are precarious, relying solely on seeds is a risky gamble. Seeds are dust-like and require specific fungal partners to germinate. Therefore, we have evolved a form of vegetative reproduction known as producing a "keiki" (a Hawaiian word for "baby"). This is our way of creating a genetic clone, a guaranteed replica of ourselves that can immediately begin photosynthesis and root into a new branch, securing our legacy.
The decision to produce a keiki is a calculated physiological response. It is often triggered by specific environmental cues that we interpret as either stress or the culmination of our growth cycle. A sharp change in temperature, the end of a pronounced blooming period, or even slight damage to our central stem (the rhizome) can signal that our survival may be at risk. In response, certain nodes on our flower spike (inflorescence), which contain potent meristematic tissue, are activated. Instead of developing into a flower bud, this tissue is redirected to form a new plantlet. It is our backup plan, a way to ensure our genes continue even if the mother plant is compromised.
The initial stage of keiki growth is entirely dependent on the mother plant. We, the parent, divert water, nutrients, and stored energy—primarily sugars and hormones—through the flower spike to the developing plantlet. You will see tiny leaves emerge first, followed by the crucial aerial roots. These roots are not just for absorption; they are sensory organs. They feel the humidity in the air, seeking a secure anchor point. Throughout this phase, the keiki is a drain on our resources, but it is an investment in our genetic future. We sustain it until it can sustain itself.
We send a very clear signal when the keikis are ready for independence: the roots. A keiki is not prepared for separation until it has developed at least three roots, and each root should be a minimum of 7-10 centimeters (3-4 inches) long with a healthy, green or silvery-green appearance with vibrant green tips. This root length indicates that the keiki has the necessary apparatus to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air immediately upon being detached. Short, underdeveloped roots are a certain death sentence, as the plantlet cannot hydrate itself without the support of the mother plant's vascular system.
The physical act of separation, if done correctly at the right time, is a minor event for us. A clean, sterile cut severs the connection, and the keiki begins its life as an independent organism. From that moment, it operates on the same instincts as any mature orchid: its roots seek humidity and anchor, its leaves orient towards the light, and it begins the process of building energy reserves to one day produce its own flower spike and, eventually, its own keikis, thus perpetuating the cycle of life from our unique botanical perspective.
