How to Start Orchids

Turn the established orchid on its side and tap the pot to loosen the potting medium. Take the orchid by the base, below its leaves, and pull it gently from the pot. Brush the potting medium from the roots to expose the root system.

Dump the old potting medium out and prepare new for both plants. Fill the old pot half full of new peat moss, fern matter, wood chips, bark or other potting mix for the new division. Prepare a new pot one size larger than the old one, for repotting the established orchid.

Cut away any dead or damaged roots on the established orchid. Healthy orchid roots are full, moist and green or white. Dead or damaged roots are black and mushy or dry and white. Cut off broken or squished roots as well.

Divide the orchid root system to propagate a new plant. Cut the root system in half to leave at least three to five growing buds on each division. Larger divisions establish and grow more successfully than small ones do. Dip each division in a rooting hormone to encourage new root growth.

Put one division in each pot and spread the roots on the potting media. Hold one orchid with one hand and pack new planting media around its roots and base to fill the pot and secure the plant. Repeat this step with the other orchid. Be careful not to damage the roots during this process.

Place the orchids in your designated growing area and give each a bamboo stake and clip for support. Push the stakes into the foundations to the sides of the plants, but be careful of roots and foliage. Clip flower stalks to the stakes.