Home > Projects >

How to: New orchids from old

You will need: Secateurs, pot, orchid compost, plastic bag, rubber band.

Moth orchids (Phaelenopsis) vary slightly in their flowering habit. Some produce another batch of flower buds at the tip of the current flowering stem, while others produce side shoots from lower down the stem, especially if you cut the stem back. Occasionally, instead of flower buds, a miniature plant is produced, known as a Keiki (Hawaiian for baby).

Best time to do it:

Step 1

If your plant does not produce more buds at the tip of the flowering shoot, trim it back to just above the top stem bud.

Step 2

Instead of a flowering shoot, you may get a new plant forming, known as a Keiki.

Step 3

Once this has grown roots, it can be removed from the parent plant. Take a short section of stem with it, as this helps anchor it into a pot of compost.

Step 4

Pot it into moist orchid compost and cover with a plastic bag, held in place with a rubber band to keep it humid while it establishes. Within a few weeks, it should begin to grow and can be treated the same as other orchids.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

Bloom and Brilliance: The 2026 Harrogate Spring Flower Show

Royal Horticultural Society shares plants for birds as feeding advice changes

STIGA secures triple victory for Robotic Innovations and Digital Experience

Rhododendrons for non-acid soils

Gardening Projects for May

---

How to: New orchids from old

How to care for Camellias

How to prune for coloured stems

How to grow a Blueberry in a Container

Latest Gardening Videos

---

Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

Why are my pansies and violas wilting?

Is it safe to compost rhubarb leaves?

How to Grow Orchids

Potting Cacti

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
Pamplemousses, Mauritius

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond, United Kingdom

Villa d'Este Gardens
Tivoli, Italy

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Sydney, Australia

RHS Harlow Carr
Harrogate, United Kingdom

Butchart Gardens
British Columbia, Canada