How do you grow roots and divide a Phalaenopsis orchid after it produces a side shoot?

A perfectly healthy Phalaenopsis orchid suddenly sprouts a little shoot from its side. It looks quite cute, but you are not sure what to do with it. In fact, if handled well, this side shoot can become a new plant. Today let us talk about growing roots on side shoots and dividing them.

How do you grow roots on a side shoot? Do not rush to touch a side shoot that has just emerged; first let it grow strong on its own. At this point the most important thing is to keep the environment humid, but never pour water directly on the shoot. I usually mist water around the pot, or place a shallow dish of water under the flower pot and let the water vapour slowly drift upward. This keeps up the humidity without letting the shoot rot.

Light also needs attention. Do not put it directly under the sun, as that can easily scorch the tender shoot. Find a spot with good scattered light, such as behind a sheer curtain by a window, where it can get a bit of soft sunlight every day. Temperature is best kept between 20 and 25 degrees. At this temperature the side shoot grows fastest; if it is too cold or too hot, it will be reluctant to grow roots.

Once the side shoot has grown three or four small roots and the roots have reached 2 to 3 cm, you can divide it. Be careful when dividing. First take the whole plant out of the flower pot and gently remove the old sphagnum moss from the roots, without breaking the new roots. Then find a clean pair of scissors and cut at the point where the side shoot joins the mother plant. After cutting, it is best to apply some carbendazim to the wound to prevent infection.

The divided side shoot cannot be planted right away. It must first be left in a ventilated place for half a day to let the wound dry. Prepare a small flower pot and fill it with fresh sphagnum moss. Soak the sphagnum moss in advance and squeeze out the water; do not let it be too wet. Put the side shoot in, taking care to spread out the roots, and press the surrounding area down gently with your hand. Do not bury it too deep, otherwise the stem will easily rot.

After planting, do not water at first. Put it in a spot with scattered light to recover for a week. During this period you can mist a little water around it every day to keep up the humidity. After a week, water normally, about once every ten days, and each time just water the sphagnum moss through. When you see the side shoot grow new leaves, that means the division has succeeded, and at this point you can care for it just like any other Phalaenopsis orchid.

Actually, dividing Phalaenopsis orchid side shoots is not that hard. The key is patience; do not be too impatient. Sometimes the side shoot grows slowly. As long as it has not rotted or dried up, just wait slowly for it to grow roots. If you fellow flower growers also come across a side shoot, you might as well try growing it this way. Who knows, you may end up with several pots of Phalaenopsis orchids.