Prune Your Orchids Can Stimulate More GrowthThe flowers have all died so when should you prune your orchids or cut the flower stalk back and how far? This is part of the basic care of orchids. Once the stalk turns yellow or brown and it is obvious that no blossoms will be produced. You can then prune your orchids to within an inch from where the blossom stalk originated on the plant. You can also cut it (preferably with a new one sided razor blade or a sterile cutting blade)there when it is green if you don't mind losing potential blossoms. Another option is to just remove the end of the blossom stalk to shorten the stalk, but retain enough so that it may bloom again. If you do this, cut it back to about 1/4 inch above a node (indicated by a small leaf-like bump clasping the stalk). In general, this might produce another flower stalk a little sooner than if you cut the stem off completely. This method is more appropriate for Phalaenopsis orchid however it can be harder on the plant itself, forcing it to flower a little sooner. This method is NOT appropriate for the Dendrobiums that flower from the leafless canes. Some of the plants in this group will flower repeatedly from what appears to be a spent cane. If you cut this cane off the plant you will not see it rebloom.
Pruning the spent flower spike should cause no harm to the plant. However, some orchids like Phalaenopsis will produce a new spike from the nodes on the old blossom stalk. Sometimes some plants will produce small baby plants (keikis)from these nodes. Keiki is the Hawaiian word for "baby". The new new little plants are genetically identical to the parent plant (a clone). These new little plants may eventually may be removed and potted on their own after they develop roots that are one to two inches long. Of course, some orchids do neither of these things. In either case, it doesn't hurt the plant if you remove the old flower stem. Return to the top of prune your orchids page |