| In order to have thriving, healthy orchids, pruning | | | | stalk, take some time to inspect the orchid's |
| your plant is essential. You should prune your | | | | roots and base.The roots should ideally be green |
| orchid when the stem (stalk) becomes discolored | | | | and frail looking. The roots are extremely fragile in |
| and turns to either a brown or yellowish hue. | | | | orchids, so take care not to break off or tear |
| The part of the plant where the flower used to | | | | any of them. Because of their fragile nature, |
| be is called the blossom stalk. | | | | roots should be trimmed with the utmost care |
| The easiest way to prune your orchid so that it | | | | and only if they are in dire need of maintenance. |
| will bloom again is to cut the blossom stalk about | | | | Roots need to be pruned if they are soft, mushy, |
| 1 inch down from the top. Unless the stalk is | | | | shrivelled or a dark brown color. Be very careful |
| severely damaged, there should be no need to | | | | when removing your plant from the pot when |
| trim it down a significant amount, one to two | | | | you plan to prune the roots. |
| inches should suffice. It's best to use small | | | | When returning the orchid to its pot, give it a |
| gardening shears or a sharp single-edged razor so | | | | small amount of lukewarm water to reintroduce it |
| that the cut will be clean and safe from possible | | | | to the soil and help it settle in securely. After |
| infection. Sterilize your scissors or razor with a | | | | checking the roots, if there are any wilted flowers |
| disinfectant (bleach works best) so as not to | | | | left, carefully trim them away from the stalk to |
| contaminate the plant. | | | | provide space for new blossoms to thrive. |
| If the stalk is still brown or yellow about an inch | | | | The best time to prune your plant is when there |
| down you may cut slightly above the next flower | | | | are no live flowers and the orchid is not actively |
| node, which is a little knob or bump on the side of | | | | blossoming. Autumn is usually when most orchids |
| the stalk. This method is not preferred since it | | | | are ready to be pruned, specifically late |
| can potentially delay the next flowering due to | | | | September to late November. |
| damaging the stalk. | | | | Orchids can be enjoyed for over 100 years, so |
| Pruning orchids is necessary to promote new | | | | pruning your plant can be very worthwhile if you |
| growth and healthy buds, it gives the new bud a | | | | want a beautiful flower that can last a lifetime. |
| healthy environment to flower. After pruning the | | | | |