Beanie, that depends, did you use any type of growth hormone like Keikie Pro or did you just cut the nodes & stick them into the peat? If you used a hormone, then you should see the node swelling after 2 weeks. After that, the growth rate will depend on the cross & how strong the node is.

I do not know if this will work for non sterile node propagation, but when using multiplier medium in invitro node culture, you can cut the top 1/3 of the node (the portion under the bracet) to produce multiple plantlets from the same cutting. If you have lots of node sections, it might be worth experimenting with on or two =0). Good luck!

-Ray-

P.S. Have you thought about making a photo journal of your project? It might be a nice resource to share with others on the forum once the project is complete!

i just stuck them in peat plugs

the peat plugs were expanded with a physan 20 mixture, and the cuttings sat in the mixture for about 5 minutes, so fungus shouldnt be a problem

taking pictures is a good idea

Please do take pictures and notes. If it works I'll add it to my website. I need content as it is still in development. Any non-standard propagation is in the spirit of the site.

Here is a link that might be useful: backbulb.com

I doubt greatly that ypu will see any growth. Just putting the nodes in peat, like planting sprouting eyes on a potato, doesn't work with orchids, to my knowledge. Forming kikies on the mother plant get their nourishent for development from the mother plant, just as planting corms in sterile culture media and kept in sterile flask are nourished.
Quoting an old orchid grower's favorit closing. when presenting a culture program: "Remember, you are not growing cabbages--you are growing ORCHIDS!"

So surprise me!

I've got a good one. Phal made a basal keiki over winter. Mother had crown rot but keiki grew and had quite a few roots. Separated the keiki and potted in a 1 inch pot with fine bark. Keiki also developed crown rot and lost the entire crown. Nothing green only two roots sticking out of the bark. Totally forgot about it and it was lost among my other plants.

Yesterday, as I'm watering I find the little pot with the two roots. Guess what, root tips are green. No sign of green growth, but green root tips. Pot is bone dry, no water since--whenever.

Now its got my curiosity and I will watch it. Never saw anything like this before and thought it wasn't possible. BTW, mother plant is still alive and made two more basal keikies. Rotted crown, but still has two lower leaves and is alive.

Don't dismiss the power of an orchid!

Jane

Albertan, You are right, it needs nutrients from the mother plant. I have heard of people using the sphag & bag technique in combination with a kiekie product. The success was moderate at best. They were using Phalaenopsis nodes, I am sure that nodes from other genera will definitely require invitro culture if using cut stems.

-Ray-

OK, I also have one for the books. In April I posted a picture of a NOID with new growth on it. The new PSB had just started expanding and a new flower spike had emerged. During my move from Portland OR to Dallas TX I think the orchid was exposed to extreme temps. (I'm not sure because I was moving sooo many orchids in my car that I can't remember who was left out in the cold and who wasn't.) Anyway, the PSB started going transparent and squishy soon after I rolled into Dallas. The flower spike was aborted but the leaves on the PSB never registered the dying PSB. I separated the orchid from the rest just in case it was contagious. To be more precise I put the lone orchid out on the balcony with the cymbidiums and the succulents for 6 + weeks. The PSB died but the leaves that were attached to the PSB remained looking as strong and healthy as if they were still being maintained but the PSB. Now 7 weeks after the demise of the PSB there is a new growth coming from the leaves. I've brought the plant back in and now it's a waiting game to see if the leaves and new growth eventually die or if it keeps growing. I've attached the photo but just in case it doesn't work I've also included a link to the orchid. From the link you can also see the original picture posted in April with the PSB just dying.

That is why I love orchids. They are such survivors. Whoever said they were prissy plants never grew them.

img src="http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=220683902/PictureID=5113984783/a=129294371_129294371/t_=129294371";

Here is a link that might be useful: Where's the PSB?

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I've been trying to grow keikis on cut phal stems using keiki paste. I have had luck with them kept in water, but absolutely no luck with pieces put into sphag. The pieces either dry up, or mold, or rot, whatever takes their mind. But no growing.

As several people mentioned, I think the problem is the pieces in sphag have no way of getting nutrients.

Charlie's Greenhouse has a "propagation gel" with nutrients that I am going to try as soon as I'm flush again. I'll post if I have any luck with it.

Forgot to say: it takes about four weeks from keiki paste to tiny leaves on the cut stem kept in water. The top node develops first, for some reason.

I keep the stems in a west window where they get strong light all afternoon. They are enclosed by a baggie for humidity.

If it's a thick, vigorous stem, the leaves roll out strong, too. Weaker stems just don't seem to have enough oomph to do anything. Still no roots, tho, after more than two months and a third leaf.