Sleeping buds of an orchid: what does this part of the plant look like, as well as what to smear and what else to do to wake it up?

Orchids are a combination of bright colors, Asian minimalism and unique shapes. Sooner or later, the owners think about independent breeding of their favorite species.

It seems that such a demanding plant will never produce offspring at home. But as it turns out, there is nothing complicated in the propagation of orchids. However, the process is not fast, you should be patient.

So, from the article you will learn how to wake a sleeping bud of an orchid.

What is it and what does it look like?

In botany, the bud is the embryo of a part of the plant. It is usually formed in the sinus of the leaf or on the formed organs: the stem, roots. The buds are vegetative, from which vegetative shoots, respectively, and generative ones appear. The latter give birth to flowers or inflorescences and are located in the axils of the leaves (we described in detail about the structural features of the orchid in this material).

Reference! A kidney may appear, and then, as it were, freeze in the process of development. Such formations are called sleeping.

Functions

Some indoor orchids belong to the monopodial type of plants. This means that the vegetation process is carried out through one growth point (more about what a growth point is, why it is needed, and also what are the reasons for its absence, we told here). The main role of this education is the conception of the future leaf or flower. They are also essential for the breeding process. Sleeping buds are able to give a new peduncle, baby.

In monopodial type orchids, the main percentage of all available buds are dormant, which are covered with scales. However, they may wake up if the maternal part of the flower is divided. And the arrow that grows from a bud with a side branch is called a root baby (for details on how to care for the arrow of an orchid, read here).

How to wake up?

In the wild, orchids propagate by seed method or lateral processes. In the conditions of home growing, the process of reproduction consists in obtaining a baby from a sleeping kidney. In fact, for some varieties, such as phalaenopsis, vanda, reproduction with the help of children is the only way to get offspring.

In the natural habitat, the buds wake up with the onset of the rainy season. It is at this time that the flower accumulates moisture, absorbs nutrients, and gathers strength to create offspring. To wake up the buds on home orchids, you should recreate a microclimate similar to the natural one. How to wake a sleeping kidney:

Reduce the positive daylight compared to the flowering period. Move the pot to partial shade.
Arrange peculiar differences: the daytime temperature will be + 25-30 ° С, and the night temperature, respectively + 15-17 ° С.
The humidity limit in the room to maintain in the range of 50-60%.
Conducting a sufficient number of sprayings, at least five per day.
Watering is minimal.
Use high nitrogen supplements to grow green mass.Important! Every second watering should contain minerals.

What and how to smear?

With all attempts, nothing happens. Even compliance with the rules did not produce results, in this case, artificial kidney stimulation cannot be dispensed with. This technology is based on the use of modern drugs.for example cytokinin paste. It is made on the basis of phytohormones, which in turn provoke active cell division.

Before starting the procedure, disinfect the tools.
After we cut the peduncle not blooming, it is the part on which the buds were attached.
Cut 2 cm above the sleeping kidney.
The slice itself is disinfected with ground cinnamon.
We pass directly to the sleeping kidney itself.
We gently pry the tip of the knife, and then remove the upper flake.
Using a toothpick or a needle, evenly process the lower green kidney with cytokinin paste.
After a couple of months, it will become clear whether the baby will grow up.

Next, you can watch a video on how to treat a sleeping kidney with cytokinin paste:

Possible problems and difficulties

Stimulants are undoubtedly a good tool, a positive effect occurs in the advantage of cases. But the drug is not always applicable, there are always exceptions to each rule. Pasta is not recommended for use in the following cases:

orchid has recently survived a transplant;
flowering period lasts;
the flower is infected with harmful parasites;
the plant is infected with infectious diseases;
young individual, less than 2 years old.

The development of children for each instance is different.. In some cases, the roots grow faster, in others - the green mass. There is no general, universal rule at all. Again, it all depends on the genetic predisposition, growing conditions, plant varieties.

It also matters how often the kidneys have been treated with phytohormones and in what concentration. Florists say that after the use of cytokinin paste, the development of the root system is noticeably reduced (about what roots a healthy orchid should have and what problems arise with this particular part of the flower, read here). If the stimulation process was carried out in the autumn-winter period, with a lack of lighting, then the kidneys will have to be lubricated a couple more times to achieve growth.

Advice! Awakening the kidneys is a complex process. I wanted them to hatch on their own when changing the content parameters, and not under the influence of stimulants. Be sure to thoroughly understand the instructions before using cytokinin paste.

So, we looked at how to awaken a bud from an orchid. Pay attention not only to the positive aspects, but also to contraindications. In order not to provoke the development of diseases or significant deterioration of the exotic beauty. As a result, you can’t get a new plant, you’ll lose the already beloved orchid. Be vigilant, do not make mistakes.