How to Do Orchid Stem Propagation at Home

Stem propagation with orchids is a complex procedure that requires some special equipment, and is not for the beginner. Orchids must be propagated under very sterile conditions.

With proper growing conditions, a stem-propagated plant will flower in about one year. Using a flasking case or chamber is strongly suggested. You will also need an area set up to grow the new plants. Temperature and lighting is very important during this period, and all items used in the flasking case MUST be sterile.

Materials Required:

1. Rectangular plastic tray
2. Spray bottle
3. Square Flasks (several cuttings of the same plant can be placed in each flask)
4. Soft toothbrush
5. Razor Blades
6. 7" forceps or tweezers
7. Sterile culture tubes with one-hole stoppers (one per new plant)
8. Synthetic cotton (used to fill in the hole in the stoppers)
9. Tube rack to hold culture tubes
10. Labeling material
11. Pressure cooker or autoclave 
12. Liquid household bleach (such as Clorox)
13. Dish washing detergent (such as Dawn)
14. Distilled water (gallon bottle)
15. Stem prop Media
16. Agar Agar

Orchid Stem  Propagation Procedure

1: First, prepare your stem propagation growing medium. Mix the medium according to directions. Boil mixture and then pour into cultural tubes (1 1/2" deep). Cook filled tubes in a pressure cooker or autoclave for 15-20 minutes. The pressure of the autoclave or pressure cooker is required to reach the internal sterilizing temperature of 15 PSIG. Next, prepare a mixture of 3 parts water, 1 part bleach, and a couple drops of dish soap. Add this mixture to the rectangular plastic tray and fill the spray bottle. Prepare another mixture of 9 parts water, 1 part bleach, 2 drops of dish soap. Add this mixture to the square flasks.

2: Using the spray bottle of the bleach solution, spray all of the areas inside the flasking case with the bleach solution. Leave it wet or dry it with sterile towels. If you can not provide a sterile area to perform the stem propagation, don't proceed. Fungus spores in the air will develop and attack the new growth as fast as it grows. 

3: Place the prepared flasks, culture tubes, tube stoppers, synthetic cotton, forceps, tweezers, razor blades, and tube rack into the prepared flasking case.