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you could propagate orchids by clone the plant life using keiki paste . This semisynthetic hormonal library paste provoke the development of new baby orchids complete with roots and shoots . The new plants are genetic clon of the female parent plant .

If you are new to growing orchids , this has helpful tips for beginners . For more on spread houseplants , seeHow to Root Pothos Cuttings .

Large and small potted orchid plants.

Orchid keiki ready for transplanting

Propagating Orchids With Hormone Paste

If you follow on-line discussions about raise houseplant , you may have heardkeiki pastementioned in recent eld . It ’s a hormone library paste used to circularise orchidaceous plant and other tropical plant .

The name come from the Hawaiian give-and-take keiki ( pronounced KAY - KEE ) intend “ nestling ” or “ niggling one . ”

Used on epiphytic ( tune plant)orchidslike Phalaenopsis , Dendrobium , and Neofinetias , this synthetical hormone has the potential difference to trigger the increase of a baby orchidaceous plant complete with shoots and root — a rarefied but exciting consequence for any devouring grower .

Moth orchid and keiki for transplanting.

Results tend to be very hit and miss but when it process , it ’s very cool .

Once the babe orchid ( “ keiki ” ) has ascendant a few in long , it can be cut from the female parent flora and grown as a whole young plant . Because it turn vegetatively from the mother , the novel plant is a genetical clone .

This spread also has uses for other tropic plants .

Orchid flower branch with white moth orchid flowers.

Before propagating plant , it is important to know that some plants are patented . This excuse when propagation is veto and how long patent last .

Let ’s look at what keiki library paste is and how to use it .

Contents

Rooting Hormone Versus Keiki Paste

Rooting Hormones

Most gardeners are intimate withrooting hormones(powders , liquid , gels ) that we apply to plant cuttings to provoke root increment . Most of the time the active element is a synthetic version of a plant life endocrine calledauxin .

Keiki Paste

Keiki paste ( see it here on Amazon ) uses another class of plant life endocrine with a different function .

While the specific formulation of these product is not always list , we know the primary active ingredient is a synthetic form ofcytokinin .

The cytokinin in keiki paste is most likely 6 - Benzylaminopurine or BAP , also known as 6 - Benzyladenine or BA . The product may also admit some B vitamins , auxin , and lanolin .

Small orchid growing in blue glass jar.

Cytokinin pass by nature in plant , helping to break bud dormancy and promote development . But , there is a great deal more to bud activation than just cytokinin levels , so the endocrine alone does not ensure this encounter . And that ’s why using keiki library paste does not guarantee success .

concern : Orchid Care for Beginners ( wind From a Lifelong Grower )

How to Use Keiki Paste

These pedagogy are for Phalaenopsis ( moth orchids ) but the steps are like for other epiphytic orchid as well .

Keiki paste is uncommitted in memory oronline .

It comes in very little amount but you just need a midget dab at a time . You could also buy the ingredients individually and mix your own .

Orchid baby keiki ready for transplanting.

Tips For Success

There are several of import things to get right to increase your chance of growing a keiki .

Some agriculturalist edit out off the remainder of the stiletto heel , about an inch beyond the chosen bud .

As cite , it ’s unacceptable to predict what you ’ll get , if anything . It may be a young branch , peak chaff , or a keiki — a complete babe orchidaceous plant .

YouTube video

If it is a keiki , within a few workweek you should see the bud dandy , then leaf and root gradually develop .

The prison term until it ’s quick for transplantation can be months or longer .

Video

This picture by MissOrchidGirl on YouTube shows the diligence of keiki library paste and the transplantation of babies from the female parent plant life .

refer : Watering Houseplants With Ice Cubes : Pros & Cons

Using Keiki Paste on Other Tropical Plants

If you want to sample keiki library paste for propagating other plants , proffer includeAfrican violet , monstera , philodendrons , hibiscus , and rose .

We do n’t know how keiki paste can affect all these houseplants but , if you have some to spare , it could be fun to try on some try out .

Resources

Listen

More About Orchids

If you notice tiny mosquito - like insect flying around your houseplant , it may be fungus gnat .

you’re able to pin the adults usingthese gummy chickenhearted cardswhich will in crook prevent female from laying nut .

This has more tips for dealing with fungus gnat .

Potted houseplants and ice cubes.

More Houseplant Propagation Tips

~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛

How to Clone Orchids With Keiki Paste

Equipment

Supplies & Materials

Instructions

Notes

Pink orchid flowers