Vegetative Propagation of Orchids

Abstract

The conventional methods of vegetative propagation, such as division and cutting, provide simple ways for multiplication and maintenance of selected individuals with desirable traits for commercial applications, experimental studies, and germplasm conservation. Orchids are a diverse group of flowering plants which have different growth habits, i.e., sympodial and monopodial growths, and they are able to survive in a wide range of natural environments as terrestrial, epiphytic, and lithophytic forms. These features play important roles in the propagation and cultivation of different orchids. Due to the varied forms of orchids, it is not possible to demonstrate all the details of vegetative propagation methods in a chapter. Here we introduce the vegetative propagation methods of division, cutting, and keikis growing of sympodial and monopodial orchids. In addition, guidelines for the care of stocks before propagation and the propagules after operation are provided.