Orchids have very beautiful flowers, but must be pruned after the flowers have fallen. You can easily trim dead orchid stems and roots for a healthier plant. You can also do pruning to stimulate the emergence of flowers. Take good care of your orchid so that the plant continues to grow and flower for years to come.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Pruning Dead Orchid Stems and Roots
Step 1. Sterilize the pruning shears before you use them
Dip the scissors in rubbing alcohol and let them soak for about 30 seconds. Open and close the scissors several times so that the alcohol touches the entire blade of the scissors. Next, remove the scissors from the alcohol and place them on a paper towel to dry.
The scissors drying process only takes a few minutes because the rubbing alcohol dries quickly
Step 2. Wait for all the flowers to fall off the stems before you prune them
Do not prune if the orchid is still blooming or there are healthy flowers on the stem. Wait until all the flowers fall.
Do you know?
The length of time the orchid blooms depends on the type of orchid. For example, flowers on Cattleya orchids can only last about 1-4 weeks, while Phalaenopsis orchids can last about 1-4 months!
Step 3. Cut the orchid stems that are turning brown until they reach the roots
If the stem of the orchid turns brown or yellow and looks wilted, it will no longer be able to produce flowers. So, it is not recommended to trim them. Instead, you should remove the entire stem completely. Use sterile garden shears to cut the stems at the roots of the orchid.
Cutting the stems down may seem like an exaggeration, but this will allow new orchid stems to grow healthily
Step 4. Prune the soft, brownish orchid roots that come out of the planting medium
Remove the orchid from the pot and examine the roots to check for dead roots. Dead roots will look brown and soft to the touch. The living roots are white and hard. Prune off any dead roots, and return the orchid to the pot, or replace the pot.
Trimming dead roots will prevent root rot, which can kill the orchid
Part 2 of 3: Pruning Orchids to Stimulate Flowering
Step 1. Sterilize the scissors before trimming
Dip the pruning shears in rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol for about 30 seconds. Open and close the scissors several times to allow the alcohol to touch all over the blade. Next, place the scissors on a paper towel to dry.
The scissors drying process only takes a few minutes because the rubbing alcohol dries quickly
Warning:
Always sterilize scissors because orchids are very susceptible to diseases that come from unsterilized scissors. Sterilizing the scissors will keep the orchid healthy.
Step 2. Check the orchid leaves to see if they are healthy enough for pruning
If the leaves at the base of the plant look green, sturdy, and shiny, the plant is healthy enough to be pruned. However, if the leaves turn yellow, brown, dry, or limp, the plant is sick and should not be pruned. Let the plant be healthy first before you do the pruning.
Always wait until all the flowers have wilted or fallen before you pruning to stimulate new blooms
Step 3. Check for dormant buds on the stem
The buds on orchid stalks look like tiny spikes that have a thin layer of brown or cream. These buds can grow into new flower stems or stalks later. If you see buds on your orchid, be sure to trim the stems about 1 cm above them.
Orchid buds look similar to the buds found in potato tubers
Step 4. Identify the second stem segment below where the orchid flower appears
Stem internodes are horizontal brown lines that form rings on the plant stem. Usually, the trunk internodes are thicker than the rest of the trunk. The stem segment is where new flower stalks appear when the orchid is ready to flower.
If there are buds on the trunk segment, do the pruning just above the stem segment where the bud is to maintain it
Step 5. Cut about 1 cm above the internodes to encourage the emergence of flowers
It is about the width of the little finger. Cut the stems straight with sterile scissors. Cutting too close or too far from the internodes can affect the plant's ability to produce flowers.
If there are buds on the stem segments, be careful not to cut them off. Keep a thin layer of cream or brown on the buds
Step 6. Wait for new flowers to appear in 8 to 12 weeks
The speed at which an orchid returns to bloom depends on the health, climate and overall care of the plant. However, in general, orchid flowers will appear about 8-12 weeks after pruning.
If no flowers appear after 8-12 weeks have elapsed, try lowering the temperature at the location where the orchid is placed by 5 °C from the previous temperature. This can help stimulate the emergence of new flowers
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Orchids After Pruning
Step 1. Replace the orchid pot after you have done the pruning if the pot no longer fits
Replace the pot ideally every 2 years or when the roots are the same size as the pot. Use a pot that is 2 sizes larger than the old pot. For example, choose a 20 cm diameter pot if the old one is 15 cm in diameter. Add new planting medium and carefully transfer the orchid to the new pot.
Always use a planting medium specially formulated for orchids, which can drain water well when you change pots
Step 2. Place the orchid in a window facing west or east
This location can get sufficient amount of sunlight. Monitor closely to make sure the orchid is not getting too much sun, which can brown or turn yellow leaves. If the orchid gets too much sun, find another location.
Do you know?
If the orchid leaves are dark green, the plant may not be getting enough sunlight, and the orchid may not flower. If the leaves are light green, the orchid is getting enough sunlight to produce flowers.
Step 3. Water the orchid only when the growing medium feels dry
Orchids can rot and die if watered excessively. So, make sure to check the growing medium before you water it. Dip your finger into the planting medium and check if the soil feels damp. If so, don't water it. Only water the orchid if the growing medium feels dry.
You can also use a pencil or small stick to check the humidity level of the growing media. Insert a pencil or stick into the planting medium about 3 cm deep, then pull it out and inspect the pencil. If the wood turns dark from moisture, the orchid should not be watered. Only water the orchid if the wood is dry
Step 4. Fertilize the orchid 3 out of 4 times
Buy a special orchid fertilizer and add it to the sprinkler according to the instructions given on the package. Use water that has been mixed with this fertilizer to water the orchid 3 times. On the fourth watering, use only plain water to wash off the salt in the soil. Repeat this cycle by watering with water mixed with fertilizer 3 times, followed by a fourth watering using plain water.
