How to Multiply Orchids

Orchids belong to one of the largest families of flowering plants in the world with thousands of varieties available for home growers. Most orchids grown in the home are tropical or sub tropical orchids that grow on trees instead of in the ground, meaning they have air roots with pseudobulbs, a water storage device. While orchids can be propagated sexually using their seeds, germination is incredibly difficult. Dividing is a much easier way to get two or more orchids out of one.

Pots
Orchids potting mix
Knife
Spade
Rhizome clips
Pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Select pots that are about 1 to 5 gallons large and fill them half full of orchid potting mix. A 1 gallon pot it good for one orchid division while a 3 gallon pot could grow two to three orchid divisions. A 5 gallon pot can grow up to five orchid divisions. Choose a pot that suits the number of divisions you want to make with your orchid.
- 2
  Lift the orchid from its pot and find the newest pseudobulb and count back four pseudobulbs. This is the strongest and most vigorous bulb. Pseudobulbs look like bulbous round growths on the orchid's otherwise smooth roots.
- 3
  Cut the rhizome with a knife to remove the strongest pseudobulb from the rest of the orchid and pull the roots apart. The division should have an orchid stem and a clump of roots attached to it. If your orchid is large it can have more than one pseudobulb. Cut off all the pseudobulbs to get more orchids.
- 4
  Place the orchid divisions into the pots and fill the pots full of the orchid potting mix. Place the rhizome clips on the side of the pot and position the orchids between them so they don't fall over. Squeeze the clips to the side of the pot with the pliers.
- 5
  Water the orchid until water drips out of the bottom of the container.

What Do Orchids Eat?

How to Repot Ice Orchids

Orchids