Can a Phalaenopsis Survive After Its Head Is Cut Off? A Detailed Guide to Care and Propagation
Many flower-growing enthusiasts, when gathered together, all start talking about Phalaenopsis, simply because it gives them so much to talk about. On the good side, not only do they come in a huge variety of cultivars, but each cultivar has its own unique character. On the bad side, the care journey is truly difficult, and different environments and temperatures bring out a whole bunch of different problems. So how should you handle all these strange problems when you run into them?
On the journey of growing Phalaenopsis there are always different problems, and the reason is that more people are buying them, and different care environments give rise to many strange problems. One flower enthusiast left a message asking about this: he was growing a Phalaenopsis himself, and then somehow its head got broken off. It looked like such a shame, and he wondered whether there was any chance of propagating it.
Actually, the fact that Phalaenopsis can be propagated by cutting the stem is nothing new. Today the editor will talk about how to divide and propagate the plant at home. First, you have to pick a plant that is strong and sturdy with a well-developed root system, just like selecting an athlete - you have to choose one with good physical fitness. Prepare the upper part of the plant that had its head broken off; the more aerial roots the better, and at least one is required. Then find a sharp knife, which you can disinfect with disinfectant tablets, or if you do not have any, holding it over a flame to sterilize it works just as well. Counting from the bottom of the plant upward, leave 3 to 4 leaves, then bring the knife down and quickly cut the plant into two halves.
After cutting, put both parts in a ventilated place to dry for 3 days so the wounds air-dry naturally. This way the vascular bundles inside the plant will contract and infection can be reduced. The mother plant at the bottom stays in its original growing spot, but during the first half month you have to be careful when watering - absolutely do not get the wound wet. After about a few months, the mother plant will grow new shoots; at most I have seen 5 shoots emerge at once!
As for the upper part that was cut off, after drying for 3 days, choose a suitable pot according to how many roots there are. Then buy fresh sphagnum moss; wrap the soaked sphagnum moss around the root system and plant it in. After that, the methods for watering and repotting are the same as usual. Special attention here: you must choose the pot size according to the number of roots. If the pot is too large, the plant will have a hard time growing well and it is very easy to fail.