How to Propagate Cymbidium Orchids

Cymbidium orchids are one of the longest lived orchid varieties. They produce masses of blooms, up to 20 per vertical flower spike, whereas other orchid varieties produce only one to four. The blooms vary in color based on variety, and warmer climate cymbidiums will even bloom in the middle of summer when other orchids wilt in the heat. Propogate cymbidium orchids by dividing a large plant into smaller ones.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Newspaper
• Knife
• 6-inch-diameter plant pot
• Orchid compost mix

1. Monitor the cymbidium orchid and wait until it stops flowering, which occurs in the late spring. Examine the base of the orchid where the leaves sprout and locate the round or oblong growths. These are the parts of the orchid that can be propagated into new plants.
2. Lay a piece of newspaper on a flat work surface. Grasp the pot of the orchid in one hand and tilt it sideways so that you can remove the plant from the pot. Once removed, brush away most of the peat moss and potting mix on the root ball to make dividing easier.
3. Locate a section of the orchid roots that have at least three bulb growths and pull it away from the main plant by gently working your fingers through the root. If needed, use a sharp knife to cut through smaller roots, but do not cut any major roots.
4. Continue dividing the main orchid plant in this manner, making sure that each division has at least three bulbs.
5. Fill a 6-inch-diameter plant pot 1/2 full of an orchid compost, which typically consists of peat moss, bark, sand and other matter.
6. Place the bulbs on top of the soil with the growths pointed towards the middle of the pot. You can plant multiple bulbs per pot, but keep them spaced at 2-inch distances from each other. Fill in compost around the bulbs, but do not cover the top 2/3 of the orchid bulbs.
7. Water the pot until the soil is completely moist. Place the pot in a shady location and the roots should develop in approximately 2 1/2 months.