Starting New Phalaenopsis Plants: Keikis, Seeds, and Lab Propagation

How to start a new Phalaenopsis? Three main ways:

1. Keiki (Baby) on Mother Plant

Grows on side of mother or on spent spike. Remove when roots >2", pot separately.

2. Keiki on Flower Spike

After flowers fall, a baby may form on the spike. Same process.

3. Seed Propagation (Lab)

Pollinate flower, mature seed pod, sow seeds in sterile lab on nutrient media. Seedlings go to community pots (15–25 per pot), then individual pots. Takes 2+ years to bloom.

Clonal vs. Hybrid

All above produce clones of mother. Only cross-pollination between different plants creates new hybrids.