How to prune an orchid after flowering: basic pruning rules

Orchids like the Phalaenopsis bloom twice a year, lasting about two weeks. Another variety blooms once a year, but the flowers remain blooming for six months. The timing and frequency of flowering depend on growing conditions, care after pruning, and the plant variety. A waxy coating on the flower stem indicates the end of flowering.

Should I prune my orchid after flowering?

After budding, the orchid begins to grow biomass. There is no photosynthesis, but the process requires increased nutrient supply, fluid, and increased plant stress.

Not all Phalaenopsis orchid varieties require pruning stems with dried flowers. Some hybrids use the flower stalks for further flowering. Some species have annual flower stalks, which bloom longer, producing more flowers. This stalk dries up on its own after flowering, and the plant sheds its spent flowers. The stalk is pruned, leaving a small stump at the base. The flower begins to grow a stem from the dormant bud for future blooms. When this doesn't happen, the orchid dries up the entire shoot to the base, which is then pruned. Pruning prolongs the plant's life and increases the time it takes for buds to appear.

Pruning of flower stalks is carried out:

• the stem turned yellow, lilac or brown;
• the flower branch dried up;
• There are no flowers on the green branch for six months.

Phalaenopsis is also pruned for aesthetic reasons. After flowering, dried branches look unsightly and can harbor harmful insects. Pests and move to neighboring plants.

How to prune phalaenopsis after flowering

After the flowers have faded, it's time for the phalaenopsis to rest. Before the new budding phase begins, the plant can be pruned. Examples can help you understand when a flower needs pruning and when it's best to hold off.

Pruning with faded flowers

When the orchid has finished bloomingIf the tip of the stem is still green, flowers may appear at the top. If the branch is completely dry, cut the flower stalk 1.5-2 cm above the top bud. The shoot may be a lateral one. Buds will form slowly, but they will bloom as beautifully as ever.

If you trim the flower stalk too low, the new stem will be long. If you trim it at the base, the plant will be slow to bloom.

The orchid's flower stalks remained green after flowering.

The flower stalk is not cut off until it has shed its flowers and is still green. Buds, shoots, or buds soon form on it. This occurs 4-10 weeks after the flowers first fade.

You can cut off the green stem and place it in water. After flowering, the flower stalk will form a new offshoot. Orchid flower stalks are usually trimmed after flowering in the spring, leaving a 2-3 cm section above the dormant bud. A new offshoot will soon emerge from this area and begin developing.

It turned brown and dried out.

The stem has begun to darken, dried out, and become stick-like; you can remove it. By this point, it should be completely dry. If some of the stem remains green, it's still receiving nutrients, and the flower stem may eventually recover on its own.

To properly prune an orchid's flower stalk, leave 2-3 cm of the rosette of leaves at the beginning. With proper care, a new stem will grow within 30-60 days.

Partially dried

If a flower branch has buds at the bottom and the top has dried out, only the dead part should be trimmed, retaining a small amount of living stem. Flowers may still emerge from the buds. If the entire stem is cut off too early, the flower branch will take up to six months to recover.

You can stimulate the orchid's growth by pruning it indoors in the spring after flowering. Since shoots only emerge in the summer, spring pruning will encourage the plant to produce new shoots.

It has dormant buds and gradually fades away.

It's important to monitor the dormant buds. Perhaps sprouts or a new shoot will appear soon. If you decide to cut off the flower stalk, measure 2-3 cm above the bud and remove the upper portion.

How to prune an orchid after flowering at home

To avoid damaging the flower, follow proper cutting instructions. Skill, disinfection, and sharp knives will help you prune your orchid correctly after flowering.

Pruning tools

When cutting orchids, use sharp scissors. Poorly sharpened scissors can damage plant tissue far beyond the cut line when cutting the stem. Incorrect pruning can damage the flower stalk. Infections can penetrate the hollow branch.

Garden pruning shears have a sharp blade that won't damage the stem. Orchids should be pruned carefully after flowering, as they are very delicate plants. If you decide to use a sharp knife, be very careful when cutting the branch.

Disinfection

Disinfection is important after pruning flowers. Failure to do so increases the risk of fungal infection. A diseased plant will experience poor growth and development, and buds may not appear.

Before use, thoroughly clean the scissors with rubbing alcohol. If alcohol is unavailable, hold the pruning shears over a flame or place them in boiling water. Treat the blade with a strong potassium permanganate solution, immersing the tool in the solution for 10 minutes. A chlorine solution is also suitable for disinfection; afterward, wash the scissors in boiled water. Wear gloves to avoid damaging your hands.

Determination of the cut point and its processing

Orchids are pruned 2 cm above a developed bud to prevent it from drying out completely. Sometimes the shoot is pruned above the second or third bud. The closer the bud is to the leaf rosette, the more buds will appear on the side branch. The next buds appear three months after pruning.

If the top root has rotted or dried out, cut it off, retaining 2 cm of the green part. The plant is moved to another container with new substrate to prevent a repeat fungal infection.

Is it possible to trim orchid leaves? Trimming orchid leaves begins when dry, diseased, or damaged leaves appear. yellowed leavesThey are cut off, leaving healthy tissue intact; only the dry part should be trimmed. Then, the orchid cut should be treated with cinnamon or charcoal.

To treat all cut parts, use crushed charcoal, dry cinnamon, and cover with brilliant green or iodine solution. Concentrated iodine must be diluted to avoid burning the flower.

If the stem is hollow inside

Some phalaenopsis varieties have a hollow stem. This stem is thick and must be trimmed carefully. It can break or flatten. Do not leave the cut open.

After pruning, water gets into the cavity during watering, stagnating, and bacteria and fungi thrive. If the cut is not covered, the stump may rot. After pruning, coat the stem with beeswax.

Trimming orchid roots

The plant has two types of roots: aerial and those embedded in the substrate. Aerial roots provide additional nutrition and water absorption. Trim the roots after they begin to dry out or rot. Trim the remaining rhizome only when repotting. Dead roots are trimmed with sharp scissors. Treat the cut orchid roots with crushed charcoal.

Roots can dry out due to a lack of moisture or too much fertilizer. Overfeeding plants causes chemical burns to the roots. If only a few dried roots are present, this may be due to natural root death. These are usually trimmed off during repotting. It's best not to rush into root pruning. The roots may be able to recover.

Recovery process:

• the flower is removed from the container, the roots are shaken;
• the roots are washed with water and soda;
• you can leave the plant in the solution for half an hour;
• prepare the pruning shears and disinfect them;
• only dry roots are cut down to a healthy area;
• the cut is sprinkled with coal.

When the rhizome remains in water, the roots become elastic and turn green. Dried shoots no longer recover and turn gray or brown; these are removed. New roots grow in 50-60 days. When the roots reach 5-7 cm in length, they are transplanted into a new container and new substrate.

Orchid care after cutting

After experiencing stress, an orchid needs care. Don't change the location of the container; phalaenopsis doesn't like being moved. If it's established in one spot, moving the pot will delay the emergence of a new shoot and further stress the plant. Move it only when the foliage has shriveled or yellowed.

Care instructions:

1. Water the plant as the soil dries out. If the room is cool and evaporation is slow, watering should be reduced. Use warm, soft, and free of impurities. Avoid allowing moisture to get into the leaf axils. Stagnant water will cause fungal diseases. Care for the plants in the evening or morning.
2. The temperature in the room is set at 20-24*C, the night temperature should not fall below 16*C.
3. Do not place pots above a radiator or heat source.
4. Dry air can harm orchids. Use a mister or place water and pebbles near the pot.
5. Lighting should be diffused. Direct rays will burn the plant. You can cover the window with frosted film, but you shouldn't deprive this tropical beauty of light.
6. Fertilizers are not applied when the plant is resting.

Extending flowering by pruning above a bud

Many people want to force their orchid to bloom constantly. But nonstop blooming ruins the plant, draining its energy and potentially killing it. If you don't prune it at all, the shoots will quickly grow. Many new branches will appear, but no flowers.

After pruning a flower stem above a bud, flowering does not resume. However, this procedure significantly reduces the time between pruning and the appearance of new buds. The plant does not expend energy on forming a new stem.

After pruning, the phalaenopsis rests for two months. During this time, it fully recovers and accumulates resources for the next bloom. Proper pruning and subsequent care extend the orchid's lifespan and help it bloom with renewed vigor. Green roots, leaf growth, and the emergence of a new flower stalk will indicate successful pruning.