Orchids are a very popular passion today, and it’s no surprise given their gorgeous appearance, the wide variety of shapes and colors, and their ability to beautify our homes with a touch of elegance.

However, orchids are very expensive and can be difficult to care for or even keep alive, which often leads us to buy new ones. In reality, few know that it is possible to propagate an orchid from a single leaf, and in this article we will explain how to do it.

In reality, orchid leaves do not naturally adapt to propagation – the growing points of new plants are located on the stem. Precisely for this reason, to propagate an orchid with this method, it will be necessary to take a leaf with a small part of the stem.

Before you start propagating an orchid from a leaf, get the necessary tools. You’ll need sharp gardening shears, a plastic container, filtered water, and the following fertilizers: rooting hormones, activated charcoal, cytokinin paste, and succinic acid.

This process is complex and one of the longest to implement: new roots can take between 1 and 2 years to form.

The propagation leaf should be taken from a healthy, adult plant. Use sharp scissors to remove the blade and stem. Once this is done, it will be necessary to activate the dormant material by letting the leaf dry for about 8 hours.

After this time, lubricate the site where new roots will form with rooting hormone. Dissolve one tablet of activated charcoal in a glass of water and dip the stem in the solution. The neck of the bud should be completely submerged in the water.

You can also use succinic acid to stimulate root growth. Dissolve one tablet of succinic acid in a glass of warm water and dip the leaf and stem in this solution, bud side down.

Once the roots have formed, check for rotten or moldy parts and remove them before planting the orchid in potting soil.