How to Cut Orchid Stem After Flowering

Mostly everyone knows orchids? One most type of orchid that so popular has the Latin name Phalaenopsis Amabilis, is now much loved by many peoples. It has unique shape, at first glance resembles a butterfly so many people call it the Butterfly Orchid. Orchids flowers has extraordinary beauty that can be enjoyed while its bloom about 6 months but in order for the next bloom to come soon-the orchid needs to be cutted/prune.

Unfortunately, many orchid enthusiasts can only enjoy the flowers, and takes time to see them bloom again. They said, to grow phalaenopsis is hard to do. Actually, to flower orchids is not too difficult as long as you know the technical care. You can see this easy steps about how to care orchids as your houseplant.

In fall you will see your orchid enter a period of rest as known as dormant fase. The blooms will wilt and fall off, but you don’t need to worry, your orchids is not dead. Rather, it is saving up the energy to rebloom for next season. Because usually your orchid bloomed through the spring and summer.

One of the main ways you can assist in the reblooming process is by pruning your orchid spikes. Falling temperatures are an ideal time to encourage reblooming in the coming months. You don’t have to worry even if you lose blooms, it just means that it’s time to help your orchid through its hibernating months. Well, for orchid beginners, pruning spikes  might just be a stressful task. However, with the right information, of course this can easily become part of your orchid care routine. Then how to prune them, you can get the answer here!

How to cut orchids spike correctly

First of all, take a note that you should not cut a flower spike immediately after an orchid has finished blooming but wait until the top section of the flower spike turns brown and wait until the blooms fall off, then cut it just above the 3rd or 4th node to encourage flowering. So by doing this, the flower spike may produce a lateral spike from one of the nodes, leading to another crop of blooms.

As the picture above, an orchid node is a nodule forming an elevated budge on the flower spike where new growth can occur. New buds, stem or flower spikes may develop from older orchid nodes.

Check out the orchid spikes

You are able to check how the healthy spikes look like has green color and firm to the touch. And spikes are brown or yellow in color indicated unhealthy spikes. There are mostly orchids or phalaenopsis that have single and some are double spike. Before you are going to cutting process,  you must know what kind of stem/spike you are dealing with. The cutting process you are going to do will be easy by knowing the status of its own spikes first.

Pruning shears to cut the orchid spikes

To prune Orchids spike, you can use pruning shears or scissors. The tools you use to trim your spikes should be sterile and clean absolutely. Wash the pruning shears thoroughly with hot water and soap. Rinse clean to ensure no soap residue remains. If you use the tools to prune with non coated,  you can sterilize with gas stove or the flame of alcohol lamp.

You can avoid spreading pests and plant diseases by dip your pruning shears in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, If you have done to prune your Orchids, it is recommended for you too.

Prune/cut the spikes of orchids

You need to remember that how you cut your spikes, it depends on the condition your spikes are in. To improve its overall health you can easily cut dead stems and roots on your orchid . Promote flowering can be done by pruning the orchids. Take care of your orchid well, then it will continue to grow and develop for years to come.

Pruning the stems that is not recommended which marked your orchid has any stems that are brown or yellow and shriveled because they will not produce any more flowers, so. Instead, cut these stems off completely. Make sure pruning shears you are going use has been sterilized to cut the stems all the way down to the roots of orchids.

You can follow these guidelines below: 

• For healthy, green spikes: Find the knot underneath the lowest blooming flower. Trim 1 inch above that node.
• Cut all the way back to the base of the plant for unhealthy brown spikes.
• For double-spike orchids: Cut one spike right at the base of the plant. Cut another spike  1 inch at the top of the node under the lowest bloom.

Keep maintaining

Keeping your spikes tidy and neat will help your orchid conserve energy for reblooming. While it might seem like you are harming your orchid by cutting it, but actually you’re giving it the best chance for regrowth. Just be careful to avoid bursts of cold air to stimulate reblooming.

The speed at which your orchid will flower again depend on its overall health, how to care and climate. However, in general you can see new flowers to bloom about 8 to 12 weeks after you prune your orchid. If there is no flowers bloom within 8 to 12 weeks, you can try lowering the ambient temperature where your orchid is located by 5 °F (−15 °C). This may help to stimulate new growth.

You can repotting your orchid whenever the roots are the same size as the pot is ideal or once in 2 years. Choose a pot that is 2 sizes larger than the earlier pot of  your orchid, such as your orchid is in a 6 in (15 cm) pot to a 8 in (20 cm) diameter. Add soil to the new pot and then carefully transfer your orchids to the new pot. Well draining orchid potting soil to repot the orchids is the best specially formulated for its growth.

Even though orchids are different from all other plants in some crucial ways, they need pruning for the same reasons as all other plants. Pruning has its own benefits such as keeps your orchid healthy. While orchids are still minor and fixable, cut the spikes also will give you a great chance to give your orchid a once over the spot any unfolding issues. Cutting the orchids is another significant benefit to remove any dead matter and diseased. This tissue may contain some kind of pest or fungus, or it may cause the plant to become stressed.