| Pruning your orchids is an effective way to clean | | | | many diseases when you are clipping them. This |
| off the worn-out, unnecessary growth from the | | | | only take a few seconds and is well worth it. I |
| previous season. By removing the excess growth, | | | | also like to wipe down the table I'm working on |
| you can refocus your orchid's energies on growing | | | | with the sterilizer too. |
| new, healthy blooms in the future instead of | | | | |
| wasting it trying to maintain growth that has | | | | So all you need to do after sanitizing is grab the |
| already been spent. | | | | clippers and clip off the parts that need to be |
| | | | | removed. Clip off the flowers close to the stem. |
| Fall is undoubtedly the best time of year to take | | | | Look for any yellowing and clip that off too. Run |
| care of any orchid pruning that needs to be done. | | | | your hands along the length of the orchid and feel |
| I usually aim for October, depending on how my | | | | for any parts that feel dry or hollow. Once you |
| orchids are fairing. Usually by then the flowers are | | | | find the line between the dry and hollow stem and |
| dead or dying. The important thing to remember | | | | the healthy part of the stem, give it a clip down |
| is not to wait too long. Pruning in December or | | | | to where it feels strong again. |
| January is generally too late. If you delay pruning | | | | |
| for too long then you risk damaging the new | | | | If it's time for you to repot, then it's a great time |
| growth for the upcoming season. | | | | to clean up the roots, removing any decaying, |
| | | | | moldy, or dead pieces. If you are repotting, make |
| Pruning is actually very easy and, for me, kind of | | | | sure and give your orchid a brand new, nutrient |
| fun. It's like preparing a gift that I know I will | | | | rich home, and replace the potting media. Whether |
| receive again in a few months. Once I've handled | | | | repotting or not that year, it is always a good |
| the pruning I know that I'm on the road to | | | | idea to fertilize your orchid after doing any pruning |
| anticipating beautiful blooms again. | | | | as it will give it a nice burst of nutrients to help it |
| | | | | develop the new growth. |
| All you really need are a good pair of garden | | | | |
| clippers and some way to sterilize them. I | | | | As the fall and winter progress, just make sure |
| recommend a bleach/water solution but you can | | | | and maintain the optimal environment for your |
| use whatever works for you. It's important to | | | | orchid so that the growing process will be fruitful |
| remember that sterilization does matter when | | | | through the colder months. |
| dealing with orchids as they can susceptible to | | | | |