Orchids: The importance of knowing how and when to prune them

flowers of a white orchid that is in a pot

Caring for and maintaining orchids is a complicated and very meticulous task. They are delicate plants that if they are not given the proper treatment and maintenance, regardless of the species or type, will end up dying. And this is where many people who decide to have orchids in their homes fail.

These plants are very different from the others in the sense of their care. They are very delicate and require constant attention throughout the year. And more if you want them to flourish and give your garden a better view.

When is the best time to prune orchids?

girl pruning some white orchids

The wide range of orchids that exist in the world make them the perfect plants to include in any garden or orchard. Till the date about 25 thousand species belonging to the same family are knowneach with unique and distinctive features.

The best known among them is the phalaenopsis orchid or better known under the name of butterfly orchid. And under this class is that we will focus on the care of these plants. This for the simple reason that most of the plants in this family require the same treatment.

Thus, when the orchid has reached its adult stage, it only requires one pruning per year. In this way, a significant increase in flowering is achieved. Therefore, you have to know which stems to cut and the shape of the plant.

On the other hand, the maintenance that orchids require is constant. The reason for this is because they are very prone to damage to their leaves and flowers very easily.

And although we mention that pruning must be done annually, it is recommended that if necessary, this work is done once the flowering has finished or is about to end. In this way you will be helping the plant to generate new stems that will contain the next flowers.

Notably orchid pruning does not depend on the time of year. It is very rare to see a species that only requires a single pruning per year. They usually need it every time their flowering process ends. Unless the conditions are not right and it blooms infrequently.

An interesting fact regarding pruning is that when you do it, try to remove those sizes that have a woody appearance or texture. This will make new shoots emerge and make it easier for the plant to bloom. Otherwise, that same stem will be unlikely to generate a new flower.

How are orchids pruned?

It is essential that before pruning orchids you have special tools for the plant and also that they are sterilized. Otherwise, when you make a cut in one of its stems, the scissors or tools used to make cuts You will transmit some common plant disease or bacteria.

Now, before you start pruning, make sure that the pruning shears are very sharp. A bad cut can cause a serious injury to the plant and later it will affect the appearance of a new stem and flowers.

woman pruning the branches of some orchids that are dry

The steps you have to follow to prune orchids correctly are the following:

  • Identify all the leaves with yellowish color and remove one by one.
  • Prune or cut all dry stems starting at the third node on each stem. The count must be done from the base of the orchid (Always).
  • Then go cutting the flowers that have withered, in the same way from the third node counting from the base. Is It is very important that the plant continues to have the structure that the original stem has had.
  • Proceed to cut the roots that are dry or have a dark color. You will most likely have to remove the plant from the container in order to do so.. This step you have to do very meticulously by pulling its stems.
  • When you are done with the pruning and cutting, add some substrate and then spray the leaves and the base of the plant with a little water.

This is the correct way to prune any kind of orchid without killing it or withering it over the days. If you follow these simple steps, Over time you will gain skill and it will not be so difficult to do so.

Orchids: The importance of knowing how and when to prune them

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