I am wondering it is possible to start a new Phal from leaf cuttings and if so how to do that. Is it a many months project to a viable stand alone plant?
No it's not possible from a peice of a leaf. In order to get a viable plant it needs to include leaves and roots and at least a portion of the central stem.
Propagating orchids is a very slow process compared to many plants but it can be done with knowledge and patience..
Two “easy” ways to propagate a Phal without flashing are:
1. Wait until a keiki forms on a flower spike (or trigger one with keiki paste), and separate it once it has some decent roots.
2. Chop the top off a very leggy Phal, pot up the top part, and hope the stump puts out a new growth.
Neither option is quick and neither is foolproof, and the second one is usually best avoided if it can be.
Flower stem cuttings with nodes that have not produced anything can often produce new plants if treated properly. It's called "stem propagation." It's an exacting process that demands sterile technique.
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