Can you cut an orchid?

I have an orchid and it's just about 2 1/2 feet tall, i was wondering if it's possible to cut the pland and replant the cut part? (it's not flowering right now)

Can you cut an orchid?
Stem propagation with orchids is a complex procedure that requires some special equipment, and is not for the beginner. Orchids must be propagated under very sterile conditions.



With proper growing conditions, a stem-propagated plant will flower in about one year. Using a flasking case or chamber is strongly suggested. You will also need an area set up to grow the new plants. Temperature and lighting is very important during this period, and all items used in the flasking case MUST be sterile.



Materials Required:



Rectangular plastic tray

Spray bottle

Square Flasks (several cuttings of the same plant can be placed in each flask)

Soft toothbrush

Razor Blades

7" forceps or tweezers

Sterile culture tubes with one-hole stoppers (one per new plant)

Synthetic cotton (used to fill in the hole in the stoppers)

Tube rack to hold culture tubes

Labeling material

Pressure cooker or autoclave

Liquid household bleach (such as Clorox)

Dish washing detergent (such as Dawn)

Distilled water (gallon bottle)

Stem prop Media

Agar Agar

Orchid Stem Propagation Procedure



1: First, prepare your stem propagation growing medium. Mix the medium according to directions. Boil mixture and then pour into cultural tubes (1 1/2" deep). Cook filled tubes in a pressure cooker or autoclave for 15-20 minutes. The pressure of the autoclave or pressure cooker is required to reach the internal sterilizing temperature of 15 PSIG. Next, prepare a mixture of 3 parts water, 1 part bleach, and a couple drops of dish soap. Add this mixture to the rectangular plastic tray and fill the spray bottle. Prepare another mixture of 9 parts water, 1 part bleach, 2 drops of dish soap. Add this mixture to the square flasks.



2: Using the spray bottle of the bleach solution, spray all of the areas inside the flasking case with the bleach solution. Leave it wet or dry it with sterile towels. If you can not provide a sterile area to perform the stem propagation, don't proceed. Fungus spores in the air will develop and attack the new growth as fast as it grows.



3: Place the prepared flasks, culture tubes, tube stoppers, synthetic cotton, forceps, tweezers, razor blades, and tube rack into the prepared flasking case.



4: Select the orchid you want to propagate. The orchid must have an inflorescent/flower stem that has just began flowering or has half of the flowers open. Cut the stem from the plant using a sterile razor blade.



5: Place the cut stem in the prepared rectangle tray of bleach solution.



6: Gently scrub the stem from the bottom up to the top with the soft sterilized toothbrush. Don't brush too hard, or you will damage the dormant bud. Place the stem back in the tray.



7: Place the tray containing the stem into the flasking case.



8: Once in the case, prepare the stems for propagation. Cut the stem 1" above and below each bud at an angle with a sterile razor blade. Gently remove the covering over the bud with a sterile razor blade. Place the prepared stem in the flask with the bleach mixture and let it soak for 15-20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. After the stems are in the tubes, keep them at about room temperature, 70-75 F, so the air in the tube does not expand and contract and suck in contaminents.



9: Remove the stem from the flask and cut off about 1/8" of each end. Using the tweezers, place the stem inside a prepared culture tube, inserting it into the medium until the bud just touches the media. Replace the stopper and set the tube in the growing rack. Place one cutting per tube to reduce the risk of contamination.



10: Label your tubes so you know what plant is in it.



11: Place the rack into the growing room or the area you have prepared.



12: If everything is done right, in a few weeks you will see tiny leaves growing in the tubes. You can expect 1 to 4 growths per bud.



13: When the leaves are 1/2" to 3/4" long and the roots 1-1/2" long, take the little plants out of their tube and plant in individual little pots or a community pot. Do not let the little plants dry out.