Orchids give very pretty flowers and are able to bloom again two to three times on the same stalk. However, to keep it beautiful and last a very long time, pruning is an essential and delicate step. It does indeed require a little maintenance and know-how. Here’s how to prune an orchid!
The orchid may stop flowering for a while, but don’t panic! By taking good care of it, it will bloom again regularly for many years to come. If you prune it correctly, know that you will keep your orchid longer and that it will flower more abundantly. In fact, this is the most essential operation after watering of course. Here are the different pruning steps and tips for performing this operation at the right time.
Sterilize material before pruning
The material you use to prune your orchid is usually pruning shears. It is essential to disinfect them to avoid contaminating the plant especially if you use it for others. Orchids are indeed very vulnerable to bacteria that could be transmitted to them. The ideal is therefore to soak the material in household alcohol for 30 seconds and then let it dry.
Inspect the plant
Before you start pruning, take a good look at the leaves of the plant to see if your plant is able to handle pruning. If the foliage is soft, yellow, brown or dry, it is too brittle and cannot be cut. If the foliage is green, dry, shiny and firm, then it can be pruned.
Wilted flowers
Before pruning your orchid, you must wait until all the flowers have wilted. This is an essential rule to know so that flowering is stimulated.
Identify dormant buds
The buds, found on the stem, look like small dots which are covered with a thin, vegetal film which is usually brown or beige. There are also buds at the nodes of the stem. These form a horizontal line which reveals several rings around the stem. They are thicker than on the other parts of the stem. It is at these nodes that the plant will start to flower again.
Trim the stems
The size of the stems allows to restart the flowering, it is necessary to cut the stem above the bud to keep it. It is usually from the second or third node that it is located. It is then necessary to cut the stem to 1 centimeter above the bud.
The exception: for orchids without knots, the stem is cut 2 or 3 cm from the base. Cutting too far or too close can minimize the chances of flowering. You should also be careful not to touch the film. Once you have achieved this stimulation size, it will take between 8 and 12 weeks for new flowers to appear.
Good to know : Once the pruning is finished, do not forget to put the plant back where it was. The orchid can be quite temperamental. So when you’ve found the spot that’s right for it, leave it there.
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