Reproduction of the ludisia orchid: three easy ways to get new plants

Please tell us how the ludisia orchid reproduces? The flower was presented to me by my work colleagues and almost immediately "signed up" in the queue for the children. Over the year, the bush has not grown very much, but the branches have become much longer. Can they be trimmed and rooted? I do not want to sit down yet, because there is nothing.

Reproduction of the ludisia orchid is somewhat easier than that of phalaenopsis, due to the peculiarities of its structure. Also an epiphyte, in the wild it grows both on the ground and on moss-covered cave walls and rocks. It will not please with large foliage and chic peduncles, but the twisting stems with painted small leaves are charming in their own way.

Characteristic features of ludisia

This interesting orchid grows as a miniature bush with creeping stems. Its height does not exceed 15 cm, but thick juicy shoots "crawl away" to the sides or hang beautifully from the pot. The main advantage of ludisia is not flowering, but the original coloring of the leaves. They themselves are small, only 7 cm long and up to 4 cm wide. Most often, the leaf plate is smooth and shiny, but there are varieties with pubescence. But regardless of the type, all ludisias have a drawing on the leaves. These can be longitudinal stripes across the entire sheet or short strokes. The leaves are collected in a small rosette of 5 pieces. They are mostly colored in different shades of green and purple on the back. The drawing is pink or silver.

Each leaf is capable of living up to 7 years. After dying off, a ring-shaped scar remains on the stem.

Ludisia is known as the precious orchid. So it was named for the small pinkish flowers that look like pearls from afar. They bloom on the tops of long, up to 25 cm, peduncles. Orchid bloom can be called inconspicuous, but it comes in winter, when most plants have a dormant period.

Reproduction of ludisia

The presence of developed powerful stems and a short but branched rhizome leaves no doubt that the orchid reproduces well vegetatively. You can get a young plant in one of the following ways:

1. By dividing the bush. In the spring, after the end of flowering, you can divide the overgrown ludisia. It is better to do this no more than once every 2-3 years so that the bush remains lush. Each division must have at least three branch shoots. They can be immediately planted in a permanent place in a pot.
2. Apical cuttings. For rooting, you need to prepare young cuttings, cut from the tips of the shoots. Each should have 2 nodes and a pair of leaves. Slices should be sprinkled with crushed coal. It is better to root them in wet moss in the greenhouse. It is also possible in the water.
3. Stem cuttings. Over time, the leaves of the ludisia fall and the shoots become bare. They can be used for reproduction by cutting them into shanks about 10 cm long. Unlike apical cuttings, stem cuttings take root lying, but also on moss. You just need to put them on the moss without closing the top.

You can cut ludisia at least all year round. However, the most active root formation is observed in the period from mid-spring to early summer (including June).

Reproduction of ludisia by cuttings - video