Fast Spreading Orchids

[BArmstrong]

This probably could have gone in a couple of different sections, but as my primary purpose is propagating, I was wondering what suggestions there would be for fast spreading orchids. I would like to propagate via division. I tried to look for earlier posts, but I couldn't find much. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.

[jiblylegs]

In my collection, a good example is Dendrobium loddigessii. In February, I got a plant with 4 canes. I now have 3 divisions growing in the pot, 9 canes total and 5 more growing. This thing kinda scares me.

[estación seca]

It depends on your growing conditions. If you have the warmth and light, not much grows faster than reed-stem Epidendrums. They are sometimes sold as Epidendrum radicans or hybrids thereof. You're far north, as well, so it's likely you would need supplemental lighting in winter.

[BArmstrong]

I fortunately have 2 large grow rooms for maintaining light, temps, and humidity through the winter months.

[Roberta]

Pleurothallis restrepiodes. Grows fast, and also produces lots of keikis that also establish fairly quickly.

Some of the Maxillarias, such as Max. marginata, Max ubatubana.

Dendrochilum glumaceum and Dendrochilum cobbianum.

Dendrobium Delicatum (Specio-kingianum, x delicatum)

Maxillaria sophronitis

Mediocalcar versteegii and Mediocalcar bifolium.


These are all relatively cool-growers (I grow them outside, for indoor growing lows of 45 deg F are fine), they tend to become beasts pretty quickly.

[BArmstrong]

Awesome list, thank you!

[Roberta]

For warm-growers, consider Bulbophyllum blumei (masdevalliaceum, maxillare are synonyms.) Or Trichoglottis atropurpurea (syn Trichoglottis brachiata var. philippinensis). The latter sends branches with long roots all over the place, easy to whack off a hunk and establish by putting a few of those roots in a pot to maintain moisture and let the rest run wild)

[tmoney]

howdy! we were told by a professional grower here that if we wanted to start an orchid biz, go with fast growing, easy to divide plants. he told us to try some chysis sedenii.

well, our goal isn't to start a business and the chysis died in our apartment conditions, hahahaha, but oh well, i will still add it to this list.

but for me, the easiest orchid i have found for taking props is the maxillaries. they don't grow crazy fast, but they are so easy to propagate.

[Ray]

The chemistry of Kelpak also stimulates branching.

I had a single-growth, complex paph division become a colony of 8 in a bit over a year, and have seen others react similarly, if not to that great of an extent.

[BArmstrong]

Oh thanks for the reminder Ray! I just used the last bit from the last time I ordered and need to get some more!