| In order to ensure that your orchid plant stays | | | | throughout the blooming season for all orchids. |
| healthy and blooming freely it is wise to know | | | | Getting rid of dead flowers will prolong the |
| how to prune it. Different species will require | | | | blooming season and eliminate diseases. When you |
| different ways of pruning. Some will need just | | | | prune branches cut them down to about 1" above |
| their leaves and flowers pruned while others will | | | | the blossom stalk source. |
| need pruning care for their roots. You will need to | | | | Pruning a sympodial type: |
| be aware of what your plant needs before you | | | | When you want to prune a sympodial type of |
| begin, or you will do more harm than good to | | | | orchid you will need to gently take it out of its |
| your plant. | | | | pot and prune the roots as well. Pruning is |
| Orchids are divided into two classifications, | | | | generally done when you repot your plant. Always |
| depending on their growing style. They are either | | | | check that the root system of your plant is |
| monopodial or sympodial. Monopodial plants will | | | | healthy when it is time to repot it. |
| have a single vertical growing stalk. The sympodial | | | | 1. Root pruning: |
| type will have new shoots growing from the main | | | | Healthy root growth is seen by a nice green root |
| rhizome. The way you prune your plant will | | | | tip. If you see roots that are dead, dried up or |
| depend on its type. Some varieties need much | | | | mushy should be removed. You can use scissors |
| more maintenance than others. | | | | or pruners for this purpose. |
| Pruning monopodial orchids: | | | | 2. Dividing: |
| When you prune these plants you will need to | | | | This will be done for sympodial or rhizome type |
| pay attention to its leaves, dead blooms and | | | | of orchid. Always use a sharp sterilized razor |
| branches. When you get rid of these it will help | | | | blade or shears for this purpose. It is wise to |
| the plant to bloom better and will improve the | | | | leave 3 to 5 blooms on each orchid plant. |
| overall health of the plant. It is best to prune | | | | Tools: |
| them in late fall or winter as you will be able to | | | | Use scissors a razor blade or pruners for trimming |
| see the brown leaves etc. easier at this time of | | | | roots and branches etc. a sharp knife are always |
| year. If the plant is a winter blooming variety then | | | | useful. Try to keep your tools sharp and clean to |
| you may want to wait until it has finished | | | | avoid transporting any disease to the plant and |
| flowering. Pruning dead flowers will continue | | | | also to avoid damaging it in any way. |