Young plants from experienced orchid growers score with unbeatably low purchase prices. Prudent care measures are indispensable so that the sensitive tiny plants transform into royal flower beauties. Find out how to do it right here.

Young orchids only thrive in the right substrate

The right substrate for baby orchids - tips for sterilizing

Young orchids are cultivated under the sterile conditions of in-vitro propagation in a special nutrient solution. The breeder will therefore give you the young plants in a special glass or bottle. If the baby plants leave the protected environment, they are subject to special stress factors such as bacteria and fluctuating humidity.

Therefore, choose a fine-grained substrate for young orchids. If necessary, cut the pine bark pieces contained with scissors. The substrate is sterilized to rule out the possibility of pathogens or insect eggs hiding here. For this purpose, fill it in a fireproof bowl, spray it with water and put a lid on loosely. In the oven on the middle shelf at 150 degrees top and bottom heat all dangerous impurities are killed.

Potting young orchid plants - this is how it works

Fill the sterilized and cooled substrate into a transparent culture pot. Ideally set this up as a community pot, as baby orchids motivate each other to grow in close proximity. Proceed as follows:

  • Place the young plants in the substrate in each pot at a distance of 3-5 cm
  • Measure the planting depth so that the root collar is exposed
  • Place in an indoor greenhouse or put a transparent hood over each container
  • Place in a bright location with temperatures between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius

Since orchids do not yet have storage organs as young plants, they are constantly threatened with drying out. Spray the substrate daily with lukewarm water. Once a week immerse the pot in lime-free water and add a liquid fertilizer for orchids. Only separate the young orchids when the common pot is crowded.

tips

If there is an orchid baby in the breeding bottle, hobby gardeners are puzzled over the best way to get the young plant out of the glass cage. Instead of smashing the bottle and damaging the floral imp, you better use a chisel. This cuts off the bottom of the bottle and pulls the small orchid through the opening.

Category:

Indoor plants