| Not every orchid grower prunes their orchids and | | | | important nutrients the plant will need for its |
| indeed, some orchid varieties don't require pruning | | | | growing phase. |
| at all. Instead they are trimmed - which is simply | | | | It's generally recommended that the best time to |
| the process of removing death or unhealthy | | | | prune or trim orchids is once flowering has |
| growth. The variety of orchids most frequently | | | | finished. If you have a plant with diseased leaves, |
| subject to pruning is the Phalaenopsis. Orchid | | | | and the problem seems to be spreading, make an |
| pruning is no more difficult than pruning any other | | | | exception and remove the affected leaves |
| type of plant but it's important to choose the | | | | immediately. |
| correct time of year and ensure you don't | | | | How to Prune a Phalaenopsis |
| remove too much of the growth. | | | | To trim a Phalaenopsis for the purpose of |
| Why prune? When it comes to the Phalaenopsis, | | | | encouraging a second flowering, wait until the |
| there are two reasons growers prune their plants. | | | | blooms have wilted then trim the flower stems |
| Many growers believe that like other plants, the | | | | about an inch above the top node. |
| Phalaenopsis benefits by pruning because it | | | | To prune this plant for the purpose of stimulating |
| reinvigorates the plant by allowing it to redirect its | | | | its growth and strengthening the plant, trim the |
| energy towards new growth, rather than use it | | | | stems near the base, just above the second |
| to maintain parts of the plant that might be | | | | node. Some growers recommend cutting even |
| struggling. It's thought to result in stronger and | | | | closer to the base but until you gain some more |
| healthier growth over the following season. | | | | expertise, it's better to stick with procedures that |
| Another reason people prune this variety is | | | | are more commonly recommended and less likely |
| because it's often capable of producing a second | | | | to result in you making an unfortunate error. |
| flowering if the stems are trimmed just a little | | | | When pruning or trimming orchids, it's important |
| after the plant's flowers have wilted. | | | | to sterilize any cutting implements you're using. |
| Cymbidiums and Cattleyas aren't really pruned - | | | | Bacteria and disease spreads very easily from |
| they're trimmed. The purpose of doing so is to | | | | plant to plant so sterilize before commencing and |
| snip off dead sections of the plant or roots. This | | | | after trimming each plant. |
| is often undertaken when the grower is in the | | | | When it comes to orchid pruning, if you're ever |
| process of re-potting or propagating their plants. | | | | uncertain about where to cut or how much to |
| Dendrobiums are also trimmed by snipping off | | | | remove, it's always best to err on the side of |
| dead canes and stalks although this is an exercise | | | | caution. If you remove too much you may be |
| that requires caution. On some plants, the canes | | | | disappointed when your once lovely orchid |
| are capable of flowering again, and on others, | | | | suddenly seems to be struggling to stay alive. |
| canes that seem to be dead are in fact holding | | | | |